MSHA: 19 miners died in first half of 2012

During the first half of 2012, 19 miners died in work-related accidents at the nation's mines. "While 19 is the second-lowest number of mining deaths recorded in mining midyear, we know that these deaths are preventable," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "Many mines operate every shift of every day, year in and year out, without a fatality or a lost-time injury. Mining workplaces can and must be made safe for all miners."