Comparative risks-4,883 coal mine accident deaths/year in China

[SAFarberMSPH@cs.com]

Radsafe:

This article copied below [since I don't think the link will work for many] 
should be filed away in your "Comparative Risk" file for future reference 
regarding common claims that developing countries cannot "afford" the costs 
and supposed impacts of nuclear plant development.

As noted in the news story below:

"In the first 10 months of last year alone, 4,883 people were killed in [coal 
mine] accidents.[in China]"

China shut down 2,900 small unsafe mines recently,  that in total had 
produced enough coal [8.7 million tons/year ] to power about four 1,000 MW[e] 
coal fired plants for one year. 

Is nuclear power too risky? Versus what? 4,883 coal miner deaths in one year 
in a country like China? Ask your local anti-nuclear power activist what they 
think. If this concerned environmental activist  thinks 5,000 or so coal 
miner deaths per year is an acceptable risk to avoid nuclear generation by a 
dozen or so 1,000 MW[e] nuclear generating units, ask them if they know the 
meaning of the word hypocrite.

Stewart Farber
Public Health Sciences
172 Old Orchard Way
Warren, VT 05674
[802] 496-3356
email: SAFarberMSPS@cs.com
=============


Source:
http://newsroom.compuserve.com/nr/story.asp?BTM=H&idq=/apo/Asia/Asia_167.ASP&P

V=WOR

China Shuts Down Illegal Coal Mines 

      BEIJING (AP) -- Authorities in southern China have shut down 2,945 coal 
mines over the last two years for allegedly ignoring safety rules and fouling 
the environment, the government's Xinhua News Agency said Sunday. 

      The sweep by officials in Yunnan province comes amid a string of mine 
accidents in China. 

      On Thursday, an explosion at the Doulishan coal mine in Hunan province 
killed 18 people and left three missing. Last month, a flood in a mine in 
southern Guangxi killed 21 workers, state media reported. 

      Mining experts say the prevalence of small, illegally operating mines 
helps make China among the most dangerous places in the world for miners to 
work. In the first 10 months of last year alone, 4,883 people were killed in 
accidents. 

      In September, an explosion killed 107 people in the southern province 
of Guizhou. 

      China has repeatedly tried to clean up its safety record, ordering 
mines in November to tighten safety by improving ventilation and making 
regular inspections. 

      But most of the problem comes from small mines operating outside the 
law. The 2,945 mines that were shut down were among an estimated 5,000 coal 
mines operating in the Yunnan province without proper permits, Sunday's 
report said. 

      The shut mines had produced 8.75 million tons of coal a year, helping 
create a glut that depressed prices at the expense of legitimate mines, the 
report said. 

      They also dumped pollutants into rivers and lakes, damaging the 
environment, Xinhua said. 

      The report said such illegal mines were common in Yunnan because the 
shallow depth of coal seams make extraction profitable with even primitive 
equipment. 

      Widespread rural unemployment also contributes to the problem 
throughout China. 

      Provincial officials will make periodic sweeps of the countryside to 
ensure that the mines stay closed, Xinhua said. 
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