Mexico: Trapped 10 miners drama revives mine controversy

accident that 10 Mexican miners are stuck in a pit in the north of the country for a week renews the debate about the sloppiness of mines in a coal zone that has been in operation for more than 30 years and that has left more than one hundred deaths.

The authorities are still hoping to get this Thursday to the site of the collapse of the mine on Wednesday last week in the municipality sabinastate of Coahuila, and from which only 5 workers managed to get out after the flood.

Christina Auerbach, director of the organization Pasta de Conchos Family, which represents accident victims resulting in more than 60 deaths at that mine in 2006, Efe said “these mines are not safe and hygienic.”

“Lack of inspections, aiding prisoners and lack of protection for workers prevails,” he denounced.

Senator from coahuila and mining entrepreneur, armament Guadiananoted that mining “is a very risky business, and coal mines are the most dangerous in the world.”

Legislator, ruler National Revival Movement (Morena), He stressed that the main factor was negligence, as he claimed that the miners “had neither a topographical plan nor a geological plan, much less a mining plan.”

“This is negligence, the lack of technical training to develop their work and the lack of inspection by the Department of Labor and Social Security, both federal (Government of Mexico) and state (Government of Coahuila),” he said. .

Coahuila, the main mining state

According to the Geological Survey of Mexico (SGM), the state coahuila It is the number one coal producer in the country with over 90% national ownership.

The discovery and exploitation of coal dates back to 1828 in the state, which has 6 coal districts and 1967 mining concessions.

Mexico’s coal production generated $224 million in 2021, with over 4.1 million tons of the mineral produced, according to SGM.

Senator Guadiana explained that there are two types of coal in these coal areas, operated by large mining companies, one is used to produce electricity and the other is used to produce steel, which is more dangerous due to the methane released.

He explained that workers at the collapsed Sabinas mine, owned by Minera El Pinabete, had drilled through a section of an old mine that was already in operation and had water above it, causing it to flood and collapse.

history of tragedy

accident recalls the tragic events of recent years, such as the events of 2021 in the municipality of Musquis, in the city of Rancherias, as well as in coahuilawhere a mine also collapsed, killing 7 workers.

And remember, due to the proximity to the area, the collapse my Pasta de Conchos in 2006, where over 60 miners died and their bodies were never found, allegedly initiated by the mining company Altos Hornos de México.

According to the organization Pasta de Conchos Family, Since then, more than 100 deaths in mines have been recorded in this coal zone.

Auerbach also believed that another factor contributing to overexploitation was the demand for coal from the state-owned company. Federal Electricity Commission (CFE)which enters into direct contracts every year for the supply of its coal-fired power plants.

“CFE awards contracts without seeking outside review. labor minister. We insisted again and again that this should not be done, ”he accused.

He also stressed that all mining concessions issued are adjacent to old mines, so that new wells end up in mines that have been in operation for more than 50 years.

A week after the collapse and after a lawsuit by relatives, the President Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador were assured that the owners and the concession granted by the administration were under investigation. Vincent Fox (2000-2006).

“() Liability of owners, mining concessions and everything that comes out of it will be reviewed because it is regulated, and what happens is that the procedures were not followed,” he said at a Wednesday morning press conference.

At the moment, more than 600 people from the Mexican authorities are working to extract the bodies of 10 miners, but so far there are no conditions for their rescue.

(As reported by EFE)