The National Mining Association (NMA) has congratulated the US  mining industry on reaching another milestone in safety performance. As confirmed by the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), America’s mines last year (2012) recorded the lowest rate of fatalities and lost time accidents in the history of US mining. “Reaching this milestone testifies to the strong commitment and persistent efforts companies are making every day to reach our goal of becoming the world’s safest mining industry,” Hal Quinn, President and CEO of NMA, said. “We have more to do to achieve our goal of eliminating fatalities and reducing the rate of mining-related injuries by 50% in five years, but industry performance in 2012 shows we’re on our way.” MSHA officially named 2012 as the safest on record for US mines, which last year had the lowest fatality and injury rates.

“One factor behind the 2012 safety performance has been the mining industry’s focus on driving safety improvement through the adoption of safety management systems and new technologies. In 2011, NMA released its CORESafety®  framework, a safety management system that combines a host of practices and procedures that have proven effective in other industries here and around the world. NMA is very encouraged to see mining companies in the U.S. adapting CORESafety to fit their own circumstances,” said Quinn.

CORESafety was developed by NMA and overseen by a CEO-level task force. The initiative is designed to complement safety efforts already in place, with an emphasis on accident prevention.