The Crandall Canyon mine in Utah caved in 2 1/2 weeks ago. Since then there has been a massive effort to find some signs of life and to get them out, dead or alive. During that rescue effort, a second cave-in occurred, killing 3 rescuers and sending 6 others to the hospital.
I listen and read about this story and so many questions immediately just pop off the top of my head…
The mine owners now say they can’t send any more rescuers into the mine because experts say, “The mountain is moving…” and “The mountain is still alive…”
- Did this mountain instability begin with the first cave-in? It seems hard to believe that it became that unstable so suddenly.
- How often is testing done for this? It seems to me the stability of the mountain should be tested every few days or so to determine the safety of everyday miners.
- Doesn’t it seem like something is bound to happen when you tunnel 2 or 3 miles into a mountain at depths of up to 2,000 feet?
It was mentioned that the miners may have run toward an escape route…
- Why would I think an “escape” route would lead out of the mine? But it doesn’t seem to. So what is it an escape from exactly?
- These mine companies typically pay millions in fines. Why not build real escape routes with some of that money? This would never be acceptable in a public building. Houses must have multiple ways out. Even buses have to have an emergency door at the back and top.
- Why are these miners allowed to be in there 2 to 3 miles from the only entrance (it seems) and as much as 2,000 feet deep underground with no other way out? I’m surprised that’s allowed for obvious reasons.
The drill holes have found no breathable air…
- Would preventive drill holes have kept the air breathable? Why are holes not always drilled close to where the miners are working?
Sue Dirks, a local resident, captured the essence of the problem with this rescue… “There is no right answer. If it was my family in there, I’d want them to get them out. But if it’s my family going in there to get them, you know, I don’t know.”
This has been an absolute tragedy. Everything seems to have been stacked against them from the beginning. Everything that can go wrong has gone wrong – since day 1.
I believe good can come from every situation, tragedies included. What good will come from this one?
Community and individual strength and character? Probably.
Mine safety? Hopefully.
This kind of event changes people – forever. Miners deserve better - if anything can be done to make mining safer.
