| Popis: |
Mining is a business, which means that coal mines must generate a profit or shut down. For decades, profitability has been primarily associated with productive activity, while compliance with safety and environmental regulations has generally been considered a nonproductive activity. The large decrease in the productivity of US coal miners following passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act in 1969 seemed to support this concept. Fortunately, one of the outcomes of this and other safety legislation has been the requirement to report production and safety statistics providing a wealth of data for analysis. The more these data are analyzed, the more these seem to suggest a different theory—that focusing on improving safety and taking care of the environment leads to improved miner productivity. To illustrate this, 2015 mine production and total injury rates reported by the top 25 coal producers in the United States were analyzed using ordinary least squares and logarithmic regression methods. Models created by this type of analysis indicate that an increase in productivity is correlated with a reduction in the total incident rate for these mines. Relationships between environmental responsibility and mine safety and/or productivity are not as easily measured, but their importance cannot be overstated given the high visibility of mining when it comes to environmental impacts. Without clearly distinguishing the productive purpose behind every mining venture, it is difficult to economically justify the investment required to reclaim disturbed mine lands. Mining companies must display a strong commitment to environmental sustainability if they are to be granted all necessary permits required to operate. |
