Deadly mines

Reports of terrible mine accidents, notably in the Balochistan province, have become an almost regular event. Just months ago, 20 miners were killed in an accident deep below the ground; now we hear that five more have perished, this time at a privately-run coal mine in the Mastung area. The tragedy occurred following a blast some 1,500 feet below the ground. The building up of methane gas — a traditional enemy of coal miners — was responsible for the explosion, which caused a part of the mine to cave in. Three of the victims were from the Shangla district in Balochistan, working a long way from home in a desperate effort to earn a living on the meager incomes mine workers receive. The other two who died were from Balochistan — but this of course does not lessen the misery of their families.

The crucial issue here is the same, which is raised again and again: the lack of safety equipment at the mine. While the canary hung in a cage as a means to offer an early warning of gas presence is an image that sticks in the mind, today there are many other modern means to warn miners in time and allow them a chance to escape. Accidents of course can still happen — in the mining industry as in other sectors. But modern equipment and proper maintenance of mines can help avert many of these. Other miners and labour leaders at Mastung say this mine was poorly run with the owner indifferent to possible injury — or worse. We hope action will be taken against him for failing to enforce the relevant laws, though tragically this does not usually happen.

There have been far too many accidents similar to the latest one at Mastung. Scores of lives have been lost. The ILO has commented on conditions at mines — where child labour also continues. It is time to act, to impose controls on the sector, implement laws and by doing so emphasise that the lives of impoverished workers are in no way dispensable simply because they lack power and influence.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2011.