Mining is a job that entails risky labour. Many workers put their lives on the line to make money. There have been some success stories and there have been a number of tragedies. This article examines mining missions gone wrong from both perspectives (success and tragedies).
1. The Oaks explosion:
The explosion occurred in South Yorkshire in 1866. The explosion killed more than 380 workers and rescuers. This is the worst colliery accident in English history and the second worst mining accident in United Kingdom.
2. Monongah Mine disaster: 
This was the worst mining disaster in American history and occurred in 1907. It killed 362 people, including children. The explosion occurred with the ignition of methane gas.
3. Liaoning Coal Mine Blast: 
203 miners were killed in this blast in China`s province of Liaoning in 2005. The blast occurred 243 meters below ground. In 2004, China reported 6027 deaths from mining blasts and accidents.
4. Chilean Mining Accident: 
The accident occurred on August 5, 2010 when a 121 year old San Jose copper and gold mine caved-in. The exact location of the mine was within the Atacama desert, which is one of driest and severest regions. 33 miners were trapped and were not rescued until October 13, 2010; 69 days later.
5. Ulyanovskaya Mine disaster: 
This disaster occurred in Russia in 2007. It was caused by a methane explosion and killed 108 people in the blast. This was one of Russia`s most deadliest disasters.
6. Mount Mulligan Mine Disaster: 
75 workers were killed by an explosion in a coal mine in Mount Mulligan, Qjeensland, Australia in September of 1921. This was the third worst mining disaster ever in terms of human loss. The cause of the explosion was the detonation of a fire damp.
7. Zasyadko Coal Mine Accident, 2007: 
The cause of the blast in this coal mine accident was a build-up of methane gas. The location was 1000m below ground in the Eastern Donetsk region. 63 people were killed and 37 were declared missing. Safety standards are increasingly ignored.
8. Ukraine Coal Mine Accident, 2011: 
In July of 2011, 21 miners died and 16 others were missing in 2 accidents in eastern Ukraine in the coal mines. The mines had a poor record of mining safety. The mine is run by a private holding owned by Rionat Akhmetov, the richest man in Ukraine.
9. Beaconsfield Mine Collapse: 
The collapse occurred on April 25, 2006 in Tasmania, Australia. 14 lucky workers were rescued instantly, while one was killed. However, 2 workers were trapped and not rescued until May 9, 2006; 2 weeks later.
10. Wangjialing Mine Flood: 
A miracle occurred in 2010 after Wangjialing mine flood trapping the workers inside. After a week stuck inside, rescuers were able to rescue 115 workers. 30 at that time were still trapped and missing. Survivors strapped themselves to shaft walls to save themselves.
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