View source for Mining accident

{{short description|Accident occurring during the process of mining minerals}}
<!-- Please make this article a table instead. -->{{broader|List of accidents and disasters by death toll}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=November 2010}}

A '''mining accident''' is an accident that occurs during the process of [[mining]] [[mineral]]s or metals. Thousands of miners die from mining accidents each year, especially from [[underground mining (hard rock)|underground]] [[coal mining]], although accidents also occur in [[Underground mining (hard rock)|hard rock mining]].  Coal mining is considered much more hazardous than hard rock mining due to flat-lying rock strata, generally incompetent rock, the presence of [[methane]] gas, and [[coal dust]]. Most of the deaths these days occur in [[developing countries]], and rural parts of [[developed countries]] where safety measures are not practiced as fully.  A '''mining disaster''' is an incident where there are five or more fatalities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mining Disasters {{!}} NIOSH {{!}} CDC |url=https://wwwn.cdc.gov/NIOSH-Mining/MMWC/MineDisasters/Table |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=wwwn.cdc.gov}}</ref>

== Causes ==
Mining accidents can occur from a variety of causes, including leaks of [[poisonous gas]]es such as [[hydrogen sulfide]]<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Kucuker | first1 = H | date = Mar 2006 | title = Occupational fatalities among coal mine workers in Zonguldak, Turkey, 1994–2003 | url = | journal = [[Occup Med (Lond)]] | volume = 56 | issue = 2| pages = 144–146 | pmid = 16490795 | doi = 10.1093/occmed/kqj023 }}</ref> or explosive natural gases, especially [[firedamp]] or [[methane]],<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Terazawa | first1 = K | last2 = Takatori | first2 = T | last3 = Tomii | first3 = S | last4 = Nakano | first4 = K | date = Sep 1985 | title = Methane asphyxia. Coal mine accident investigation of distribution of gas. | url = | journal = Am J Forensic Med Pathol | volume = 6 | issue = 3| pages = 211–214 | doi = 10.1097/00000433-198509000-00007 | pmid = 3870672 }}</ref> [[dust explosions]], collapsing of mine [[Stoping (mining method)|stopes]], mining-[[induced seismicity]], flooding, or general mechanical errors from improperly used or malfunctioning mining equipment (such as [[safety lamp]]s or [[electrical equipment]]). The use of improper [[explosive]]s underground can also cause methane and [[coal dust]] explosions.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

== Worst mining disaster in history ==

On April 26, 1942, in the [[Benxihu Colliery|Benxihu (Honkeiko)]] [[coal mine]] in Liaoning Province, China, what is believed to be the worst mining disaster in history occurred when a [[coal dust explosion]] killed over 1,500 people.<ref name="ten worst">{{cite web|url=http://www.epicdisasters.com/index.php/site/comments/the_ten_worst_worldwide_mining_disasters/ |title=Ten Worst Mining Disasters |last=Retzer |first=John |publisher=Bogey Media |access-date=17 May 2014 |location=Michigan, USA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418115719/http://www.epicdisasters.com/index.php/site/comments/the_ten_worst_worldwide_mining_disasters |archive-date=18 April 2010 }}</ref>

The disaster occurred in an area that is now within the borders of modern-day China but was at the time part of the [[puppet state]] of [[Manchukuo]] established by Japan after it invaded and occupied northeast China in the 1930s. The Japanese administrators of the mine forced Chinese labourers to conduct the mining work under harsh conditions. The disaster began with a fire in the mine. In order to suppress it, the Japanese operators cut off the air in the ventilation shafts and blocked off the mine so as to deprive the blaze of oxygen. Most workers were not evacuated before these actions, and they were trapped within the sealed-off area of the mine; they suffocated to death as the fire burned off oxygen and led to [[carbon monoxide poisoning]]. Once the fire died out and the mine was re-opened, ten days were required for workers to remove debris and reach the bodies of those who had been trapped inside the mine.<ref name="worst mining disasters">{{cite web|url=http://www.mining-technology.com/features/feature-world-worst-coal-mining-disasters-china/|title=The world's worst coal mining disasters|date=15 May 2014 |access-date=16 August 2015}}</ref>

The dead consisted of 1,518 Chinese and 31 Japanese. Most of the bodies were later buried in a mass grave. After the war and liberation of China by the Soviet Union, the disaster was investigated. The Soviet report concluded that the majority of the deaths were not caused directly by the initial fire but were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning and suffocation resulting from the decisions of the Japanese.<ref name="chinazhaoge">{{cite web|title=Chinazhaoge Blog|url=http://chinazhaoge.blog.sohu.com/21038332.html|publisher=sohu.com|access-date=7 August 2010|language=zh}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2017}}

==Accidents by year==
[[File:Mine No 6 Va explosion.png|thumb|Monongah Mining disaster West Virginia, US 1907.]]
[[File:Senghenydd pit disaster 1.jpg|thumb|Senghenydd pit, Wales 1913.]]
[[File:Farmington-Mine-Disaster-smoke.jpg|thumb|[[Farmington Mine disaster|The Farmington coal mine disaster]] kills 78. West Virginia, US 1968.]]
This is an incomplete list of notable mining accidents and disasters that have killed at least 10 persons:

===19th century===
{{main category|19th-century mining disasters}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Date
!Disaster
!Location
!Type
!Death toll
!References
|-
|{{Date|May 25, 1812}}
|[[Felling mine disasters|Felling Colliery disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Felling, Tyne and Wear|Felling]], [[England]]
|[[coal dust explosion]]
|92 
|
|-
|{{Date|10 April 1824}}
|[[1824 Saint-Louis coal mine disaster]]
|{{Flag icon|France}} [[Champagney, Haute-Saône|Champagney]], [[France]]
|[[firedamp]] explosion
|20
|
|-
|{{Date|26th September 1836}}
|Bignall Hill 1836
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Bignall Hill]], England
|firedamp explosion
|11
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bignal Hill 1836 |url=https://nsmg.apedale.co.uk/Disasters/bignal1836.htm |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=nsmg.apedale.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|28 September 1844}}
|Haswell mine disaster
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Haswell, County Durham|Haswell]], England
|[[blackdamp]] explosion
|95
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Haswell - the 1844 Pit Disaster |url=http://www.haswell-history.co.uk/disaster.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815143053/http://www.haswell-history.co.uk/disaster.html |archive-date=15 August 2009 |access-date=3 November 2024 |publisher=Haswell History Group}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|14th January 1846}}
|[[Risca colliery disasters|Black Vein Colliery explosion]]
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Risca]], [[Wales]]
|accidental explosion
|35
|<ref name="Mines Rescue">{{Cite web |title=Mines Rescue |url=http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/Wales/Wales-AB.html#Risca-2 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.healeyhero.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|9 July 1846}}
|East Wheal Rose disaster
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[East Wheal Rose]], England
|flooding
|39
|<ref name="CIF">{{cite web |title=Perranzabuloe Mining District - East Wheal Rose |url=http://www.cornwallinfocus.co.uk/history/eastrose.php |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818065308/http://www.cornwallinfocus.co.uk/history/eastrose.php |archivedate=2009-08-18 |accessdate=2009-07-24 |publisher=Cornwall in Focus}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The West Briton Newspaper: transcript of article from 17 July 1846. |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wbritonad/cornwall/1846/misc/jul.html |accessdate=2009-07-24 |publisher=Julia Mosman & Rita Kopp}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|24 March 1853}}
|Ince Hall Colliery disaster
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Ince-in-Makerfield]], England
|underground gas explosion
|50
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ince Hall Colliery Explosion - Wigan - 1853 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/lancashire/ince-hall-colliery-explosion-wigan-1853/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|July 15, 1856}}
|[[Cymmer Colliery explosion]] 
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Cymmer, Rhondda Cynon Taf|Cymmer]], Wales
|underground gas explosion
|114 
|<ref name="Cymer">{{Cite journal |last=Lewis |first=E. D. |date=1976 |title=The Cymer (Rhondda) Explosion |journal=Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion |pages=118–161 |hdl=10107/1419644}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|19 February 1857}}
|[[Lundhill Colliery explosion]]
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Wombwell]], England
|firedamp explosion
|189
|
|-
|{{Date|1st December 1860}}
|[[Risca colliery disasters|Black Vein Colliery explosion]]
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} Risca, Wales
|[[methane explosion|methane gas explosion]]
|{{Sort|140|more than 140}}
|<ref name="Mines Rescue"/>
|-
|{{Date|16 January 1862}}
|[[Hartley Colliery disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[New Hartley]], England
|fracture of pumping engine beam
|204
|
|-
|{{Date|12 December 1866}}
|[[Oaks explosion]]
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Hoyle Mill]], England
|firedamp explosion
|361
|
|-
|{{Date|13th December 1866}}
|Talke o' the Hill Colliery explosion 
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Talke]], England
|underground gas explosion
|89
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Talke o' th' Hill Colliery Explosion - Talke - 1866 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/staffordshire/talke-o-th-hill-colliery-explosion-talke-1866/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|8 November 1867}}
|First [[Ferndale Colliery]] disaster
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taf|Ferndale]], [[Wales]]
|underground gas explosion
|178
|<ref name="ferndale">{{Cite web |title=Ferndale Colliery |url=https://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/GlamEast/Ferndale.htm |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.welshcoalmines.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|Apr 1, 1868}}
|Santa Elisa Mine disaster
|{{Flagicon|Spain|variant=1785}} [[Belmez, Córdoba|Belmez]], Spain
|underground gas explosion
|29
|<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Daza Sánchez |first=Antonio |year=2005 |title=CAUSALIDAD EN MINAS Y MASONERÍA DE BELMEZ A MÁLAGA EN EL SIGLO XIX. RECONOCIMIENTO A LEOPOLDO ALCÁNTARA Y JORGE LORING |url= |journal=De Re Metallica |issue=5 |pages=101–108 |issn=1577-9033}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|10 June 1869}}
|Second [[Ferndale Colliery]] disaster
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taf|Ferndale]], [[Wales]]
|underground gas explosion
|53
|<ref name="ferndale" />
|-
|{{Date|September 6, 1869}}
|[[Avondale Mine disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} [[Plymouth Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Plymouth Township, Pennsylvania]], United States
|fire
|110
|
|-
|{{Date|14 November 1872}}
|[[Boaz Bloomer#Industrial accidents and the Pelsall Hall Coilery disaster|Pelsall Hall Colliery disaster]] 
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Pelsall]], England
|sulfur explosion 
|22
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Pelsall Hall 1872 |url=http://www.ccmhs.co.uk/pelsall_hall_1872.htm |website=www.ccmhs.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|May 13, 1873}}
|[[Drummond Colliery Disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|Canada|variant=1868}} [[Westville, Nova Scotia|Westville]], [[Canada]]
|firedamp explosion
|70
|
|-
|{{Date|14 April 1874}}
|[[Astley Deep Pit disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Dukinfield]], England
|firedamp explosion
|54
|
|-
|{{Date|30 April 1875}}
|Bunker's Hill Colliery explosion
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Stoke-on-Trent]], England
|methane gas explosion
|43 
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Abel |first=F.A. |url=https://archive.org/details/miningaccidentst00abelrich/page/4/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater |title=Mining accidents and their prevention |year=1889 |location=New York |pages=4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bunkers Hill Colliery Explosion - Audley - 1875 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/staffordshire/bunkers-hill-colliery-explosion-audley-1875/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|4th December 1875}}
|[[New Tredegar]] Colliery explosion
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Bedwellty]], Wales
|firedamp explosion
|23
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Tredegar Colliery Explosion - Bedwelty - 1875 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/monmouthshire/new-tredegar-colliery-explosion-bedwelty-1875/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{Date|6 December 1875}}
|[[Llan Colliery]] disaster
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Gwaelod-y-Garth]], Wales
|firedamp explosion
|16
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-12-04 |title=Llan Colliery disaster: 1875 Gwaelod-y-Garth blast victims honoured |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-20597736 |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|Swaithe Main Colliery Explosion
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Barnsley]], England
|firedamp explosion
|143 
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Swaithe Main Colliery Explosion - Barnsley - 1875 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/yorkshire/swaithe-main-colliery-explosion-barnsley-1875/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|30 December 1875}}
|[[Bochnia Salt Mine|Bochnia Salt mine]] fire
|{{Flag icon|Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria|variant=}} [[Bochnia]], [[Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria|Austrian Poland]]
|fire
|12
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paprota |first=Janusz |date=2017-07-20 |title=Pożar w bocheńskiej kopalni |url=https://bochenskiedzieje.pl/zabytki/kopalnia-soli/169-pozar-w-bochenskiej-kopalni |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=bochenskiedzieje.pl |language=pl-PL}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|22 October 1877}}
|[[Blantyre mining disaster|1877 Blantyre mining disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Blantyre, South Lanarkshire|Blantyre]], [[Scotland]]
|firedamp explosion
|207
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blantyre 1877 - Scottish Mining Website |url=http://www.scottishmining.co.uk/55.html |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=www.scottishmining.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|7 June 1878}}
|[[Wood Pit disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Haydock]], England
|underground gas explosion
|189
|
|-
|{{Date|11 September 1878}}
|[[Abercarn colliery disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Abercarn]], Wales
|firedamp explosion
|268 
|
|-
|{{Date|13th. January, 1879}}
|Dinas Colliery Explosion
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Llantrisant]], Wales
|underground gas explosion
|63
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dinas Colliery Explosion - Rhondda - 1879 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/glamorganshire/dinas-colliery-explosion-llantrisant-1879/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|10 February 1879}}
|Döllinger Mine disaster
|{{Flagicon|Lands of the Bohemian Crown
}} [[Duchcov|Dux]], [[Lands of the Bohemian Crown|Bohemia]]
|water leak
|23
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Průval vod na dole Döllinger v Duchcově |url=http://podzemi.solvayovylomy.cz/podzemi/nestesti/01.htm |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=podzemi.solvayovylomy.cz}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|21 February 1879}}
|[[Kaitangata Mine disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|NZL}} [[Brunner Mine|Kaitangata]], [[Colony of New Zealand|New Zealand]]
|firedamp explosion
|34
|
|-
|{{Date|4th. March 1879}}
|[[Victoria Colliery]] Stanley Pit explosion
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Wakefield]], England
|firedamp explosion
|21
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Victoria Colliery Stanley Pit Explosion - Wakefield - 1879 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/yorkshire/victoria-colliery-stanley-pit-explosion-wakefield-1879/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|2nd. July, 1879}}
|[[Blantyre mining disaster|1879 Blantyre mining disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} Blantyre, Scotland
|underground gas explosion
|28
|<ref name="whiston">{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/cms/document/1878_79.pdf |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401061214/http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/cms/document/1878_79.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2014 |access-date=2014-02-25 |df=dmy}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|September 1, 1879}}
|[[Magny shaft]] disaster
|{{Flag icon|France}} [[Magny-Danigon]], France
|firedamp explosion
|16 
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poincaré - Inspector of mines |url=https://mathshistory.st-andrews.ac.uk/HistTopics/Poincare_mines/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Maths History |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|24th. December, 1879}}
|Sowcrofts colliery explosion
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Kearsley]], England
|underground gas explosion
|11
|<ref name="whiston" />
|-
|{{Date|21st January 1880}}
|Lady Fair Pit explosion 
|{{Flagicon|England}} Leycett, England
|firedamp explosion
|62
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fair Lady Pit 1879 |url=https://nsmg.apedale.co.uk/Disasters/fairlady1880.htm |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=nsmg.apedale.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|15 July 1880}}
|[[Risca colliery disasters|Risca New Colliery disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Wattsville]], Wales
|underground gas explosion
|{{Sort|120|more than 120}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-24 |title=Call for donations to fund memorial at the site of several mining disasters |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17790593.black-vein-risca-north-colliery-disasters-remembered-memorial-plaque/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|8th September 1880}}
|[[Seaham Colliery]] explosions 
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Seaham]], England
|underground explosion 
|160 
|<ref>[http://www.dmm.org.uk/reports/2924-02.htm Seaham Colliery disaster report] Durham Mining Museum</ref>
|-
|{{Date|September 24, 1880}}
|Ludmiła Coal Mine disaster
|{{Flag icon|Congress Poland}}[[Sosnowiec]], [[Congress Poland]]
|flooding
|{{Sort|16|at least 16, possibly 200}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nieć |first=Tomasz |date=27 September 2019 |title=Dwieście ofiar to tylko legenda, ale Ludmiła stała się przeklęta |url=https://sosnowiec.wyborcza.pl/sosnowiec/7,93867,25239352,dwiescie-ofiar-to-tylko-legenda-ale-ludmila-stala-sie-przekleta.html |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=wyborcza.pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Drążenie górniczej historii to jego życiowa pasja |url=https://nettg.pl/gornictwo/207112/dziejowy-mit-o-rzekomo-najwiekszej-katastrofie-w-historii-polskiego-gornictwa-weglowego-na-ziemiach-polskich |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=nettg.pl |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Redakcja |date=2018-05-13 |title=Największe katastrofy górnicze na Śląsku. Liczba ofiar jest wstrząsająca! |url=https://dziennikzachodni.pl/najwieksze-katastrofy-gornicze-na-slasku-liczba-ofiar-jest-wstrzasajaca/ar/c3-13171001?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Dziennik Zachodni |language=pl-PL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SUPER HISTORIA:Cmentarzysko pod ziemią. Największe katastrofy górnicze |url=https://www.se.pl/wiadomosci/polska/cmentarzysko-pod-ziemia-najwieksze-katastrofy-gornicze-aa-ysaH-nQD9-8Myx.html |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=www.se.pl |language=pl}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|November 12, 1880}}
|Foord Pit explosion
|{{Flagicon|Canada|variant=1868}} [[Stellarton]], [[Canada]]
|firedamp explosion
|{{Sort|44|at least 44}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-28 |title=Foord Pit Explosion, 1880 |url=https://museumofindustry.novascotia.ca/nova-scotia-industry/nova-scotia-coal-mining-tragedies/pictou-county-coal-mines/foord-pit-explosion |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Museum of Industry}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|10th December 1880}}
|Naval Colliery Explosion
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Tonypandy]], [[Wales]]
|underground gas explosion
|101
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pen-Y-Craig Colliery Explosion - Rhondda - 1880 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/glamorganshire/pen-y-craig-colliery-explosion-rhondda-1880/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|March 4, 1881}}
|First Almy Mine disaster
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} [[Almy, Wyoming]], United States
|underground gas explosion
|38
|<ref name="almy">{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Angus M. Thuermer |date=2018-01-12 |title=Almy Mine disasters |url=https://wyofile.com/almy-mine-disasters/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=WyoFile |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|11 September 1881}}
|[[Rockslide of Elm]]
|{{Flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Elm, Switzerland|Elm]], [[Switzerland]]
|rockslide
|115
|
|-
|{{Date|16 February 1882}}
|Trimdon Grange Explosion
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Trimdon Grange]], England
|underground gas explosion
|69
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trimdon Grange p3 |url=http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/pits/Trimdon_Grange/Trimdon3.htm#top |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.healeyhero.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|19 April 1882}}
|[[West Stanley Pit disasters|First West Stanley Pit disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[West Stanley]], England
|firedamp explosion
|13
|
|-
|{{Date|12 December 1882}}
|[[New Australasian Gold Mine disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|Victoria}} [[Creswick]], [[Colony of Victoria|Victoria]]
|flooding
|22 
|
|-
|{{Date|February 16, 1883}}
|[[1883 Diamond Mine Disaster|Diamond Mine Disaster]] 
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} [[Braidwood, Illinois]], United States
|flooding
|74
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Mine Disasters in the United States |url=https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/diamond_news_only.htm |access-date=16 May 2022}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|7 November 1883}}
|Moorfield Colliery disaster
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Altham, Lancashire|Altham]], England
|firedamp explosion
|68 
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moorfield Pit Explosion |url=http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/pits/Moorfield/Moorfield-1.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.healeyhero.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|January 24, 1884}}
|Jokerville Mine Explosion
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} [[Crested Butte, Colorado]], United States
|methane gas explosion
|59
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jokerville Mine Explosion {{!}} Colorado Encyclopedia |url=https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/jokerville-mine-explosion |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=coloradoencyclopedia.org}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|March 13, 1884}}
|Laurel Mine explosion
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} [[Pocahontas, Virginia]], United States
|coal dust explosion
|112
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laurel Mine Explosion, Pocahontas, Virginia |url=https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/laurel.htm |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=usminedisasters.miningquiz.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|11 December 1884}}
|First Anina mine disaster
|{{Flagicon|Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen}} [[Anina]], [[Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen|Hungary]]
|fire
|47
|<ref name="banyaszat">{{Cite journal |last=IZSÓ |first=ISTVÁN |title=Bányaszerencsétlenségek a történelmi Magyarországon (1867-1916) |url=https://epa.oszk.hu/04500/04501/00006/pdf/EPA04501_banyaszat_2020_04_22-27.pdf |journal=Bányászat – Kõolaj és Földgáz |volume=153 |issue=4 |pages=24}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|June 18, 1885}}
|[[Clifton Hall Colliery]] disaster
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[West Stanley|Clifton]], England
|firedamp explosion
|178
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clifton Hall Colliery Explosion - Manchester - 1885 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/lancashire/clifton-hall-colliery-explosion-manchester-1885/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
|{{Date|23 December 1885}}
|[[Mardy Colliery]] disaster
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Rhondda Cynon Taf]], [[Wales]]
|underground gas explosion
|81
|<ref name="RCTMaerdy">{{cite web |title=Maerdy |url=http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/heritagetrail/rhondda/maerdy/maerdy.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717013843/http://webapps.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/heritagetrail/rhondda/maerdy/maerdy.htm |archivedate=17 July 2011 |accessdate=23 December 2010 |publisher=Rhondda Cynon taff}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|January 12, 1886}}
|Second Almy Mine disaster
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} Almy, Wyoming, United States
|underground gas explosion
|11
|<ref name="almy" />
|-
|{{Date|13 August 1886}}
|[[Bedford Colliery disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Bedford, Greater Manchester|Bedford]], England
|firedamp explosion
|38
|
|-
|{{Date|18 February 1887}}
|National Colliery 1887 disaster
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Wattstown]], Wales
|underground gas explosion
|39
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Colliery Explosion - Pontypridd - 1887 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/glamorganshire/national-colliery-explosion-pontypridd-1887/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|March 4, 1887}}
|La Boule, [[Borinage]] 
|{{Flagicon|BEL}} La Boule, [[Borinage]], [[Belgium]]
|methane gas explosion
|120 
|<ref name="ff597" />
|-
|{{Date|23 March 1887}}
|Bulli Colliery explosion
|{{Flagicon|New South Wales}} [[Bulli, New South Wales|Bulli]], [[Colony of New South Wales|New South Wales]]
|underground gas explosion
|81
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=1887 Bulli Colliery Explosion {{!}} Resources Regulator |url=https://www.resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au/safety/safety-events-and-education-programs/learning-from-disasters/learning-from-disasters/1887 |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=www.resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|May 3, 1887}}
|[[1887 Nanaimo mine explosion]]
|{{Flagicon|Canada|variant=1868}} [[Nanaimo]], Canada
|improper use of explosives
|150 
|
|-
|{{Date|28 May 1887}}
|[[Udston mining disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Hamilton, South Lanarkshire|Hamilton]], Scotland
|firedamp explosion
|73 
|
|-
|{{Date|22 June 1889}}
|[[Australian Agricultural Company|Australian Agricultural Co.]] mine disaster
|{{Flag icon|New South Wales}} [[Hamilton, New South Wales]]
|roof collapse 
|11
|<ref>{{Cite journal |last=BEAUCHAMP |first=CLIVE |year=2014 |title=Disaster at the Australian Agricultural Company's Mine, Hamilton NSW, 1889 |url=https://www.mininghistory.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/11.-BeauchampV12-compressed.pdf |journal=Journal of Australasian Mining History |volume=12 |pages=193–204}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|5 September 1889}}
|[[Mauricewood Colliery disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|Scotland}} [[Penicuik]], Scotland
|fire
|63
|
|-
|{{Date|9 September 1889}}
|[[White Ash Mine disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} [[Golden, Colorado|Golden]], [[Colorado]], United States
|flooding
|10
|
|-
|{{Date|16th. October, 1889}}
|[[Mossfield Colliery]] explosion 
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Longton, Staffordshire|Longton]], England
|coal dust explosion
|64
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mossfield Colliery Explosion - Longton - 1889 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/staffordshire/mossfield-colliery-explosion-longton-1889/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|June 16, 1890}}
|Hill Farm Mine Fire
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} [[Dunbar, Pennsylvania]], United States
|underground gas explosion
|31
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hill Farm Mine Fire |url=https://usminedisasters.miningquiz.com/saxsewell/hill_farm_news_only.htm |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=usminedisasters.miningquiz.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|January 27, 1891}}
|[[Mammoth Mine disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}}  [[Mount Pleasant Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania|Mount Pleasant Township, Pennsylvania]], United States
|underground gas explosion
|109
|
|-
|{{Date|February 21, 1891}}
|[[Springhill mining disasters|Springhill Mine Disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|Canada|variant=1868}} [[Springhill, Nova Scotia|Springhill]], [[Canada]]
|coal dust explosion
|125
|
|-
|{{Date|May 22, 1891}}
|Pratt No. 1 Mine explosion
|{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Coalburg, Alabama]], United States
|firedamp explosion
|11
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=1891-05-26 |title=MINE EXPLOSION IN ALABAMA. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12719459?browse=ndp:browse/title/M/title/10/1891/05/26/page/833112/article/12719459 |access-date=2024-11-03 |work=Mercury}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Flynt |first1=Wayne |title=Poor But Proud |date=2016 |publisher=University of Alabama Press |location=2843}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|January 7, 1892}}
|[[Krebs, Oklahoma#1892 mining explosion|Mine No.11 explosion]] 
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1891}} [[Krebs, Oklahoma]], United States
|accidental set off of explosives
|{{Sort|100|nearly 100}}
|<ref>{{cite web |last1=History.com |title=Mine explodes in Oklahoma |url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mine-explodes-in-oklahoma |access-date=10 February 2016 |website=History.com |date=13 November 2009 |publisher=A+E Networks}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|May 10, 1892}}
|Roslyn mine explosion
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} [[Roslyn, Washington]], United States
|underground gas explosion
|45
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Worst coal-mine disaster in Washington history kills 45 miners at Ros |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/8016 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.historylink.org}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|31 May 1892}}
|Maria ore mine fire
|{{Flagicon|Lands of the Bohemian Crown
}} [[Příbram#Modern history|Pribram]], Bohemia
|mine fire
|319 
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Hidden Story |url=https://www.poznejpribram.cz/en/blog/clanek/skryte-pribehy |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Poznej Příbram |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|26 August 1892}}
|[[Parc Slip Colliery]] accident
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Aberkenfig]], Wales
|underground gas explosion
|112
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Park Slip Colliery Explosion - Tondu - 1892 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/glamorganshire/park-slip-colliery-explosion-tondu-1892/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|11 April 1893}}
|[[Great Western Mine]] fire
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Hopkinstown]], Wales
|fire
|63
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Great Western Colliery Fire - Rhondda - 1893 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/glamorganshire/great-western-colliery-fire-rhondda-1893/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|July 4, 1893}}
|Combs Colliery disaster 
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Thornhill, West Yorkshire|Thornhill]], England
|firedamp explosion
|139 
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Durham Mining Museum – Colliery Disaster |url=http://www.dmm.org.uk/uknames/u1893-03.htm}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|21. july 1893}}
|[[Senjski Rudnik]] disaster
|{{Flagicon|Kingdom of Serbia}} [[Senjski Rudnik]], [[Kingdom of Serbia|Serbia]]
|fire and [[cave-in]]
|28
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vojvodine |first=Javna medijska ustanova JMU Radio-televizija |title=Sećanje na rudare stradale u Senjskom rudniku 1893. |url=https://www.rtv.rs/sr_lat/drustvo/secanje-na-rudare-stradale-u-senjskom-rudniku-1893._1146404.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=JMU Radio-televizija Vojvodine |language=sr-Latn}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|23 June 1894}}
|[[Albion Colliery]] explosion
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Pontypridd]], Wales
|firedamp explosion
|290
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Albion Colliery Explosion - Pontypridd - 1894 |url=https://nmrs.org.uk/mines-map/accidents-disasters/glamorganshire/albion-colliery-explosion-pontypridd-1894/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Northern Mine Research Society |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-09-02 |title=Albion Colliery: The forgotten mining disaster |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-36914191 |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|14.6.1894}}
|Karwin mine disaster 
|{{Flagicon|Lands of the Bohemian Crown
}} [[Karviná|Karwin]], Bohemia
|firedamp explosion
|235
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=LovecPokladu.cz |title=14.6.1894 235 people died in the mines |url=https://www.lovecpokladu.cz/en/home/14-6-1894-235-people-died-in-the-mines-8065 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=LovecPokladu.cz |date=18 June 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|August 24, 1894}}
|Franklin Mine disaster
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} [[Franklin, Washington]], United States
|fire
|37
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Franklin Mine disaster (August 24, 1894): A Compilation of Contempora |url=https://www.historylink.org/file/9165 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.historylink.org}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|20 October 1894}}
|Second Anina mine disaster
|{{Flagicon|Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen}} [[Anina]], [[Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen|Hungary]]
|underground gas explosion
|48
|<ref name="banyaszat" />
|-
|{{Date|14th January 1895}}
|[[Diglake Colliery Disaster|Diglake Colliery Flooding]]
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Bignall End]], England
|flooding
|77
|
|-
|{{Date|January 12, 1886}}
|Third Almy Mine disaster
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1877}} Almy, Wyoming, United States
|underground gas explosion
|62
|<ref name="almy" />
|-
|{{Date|3-4 March 1896}}
|Kleofas coal mine disaster
|{{Flag icon|Prussia}} [[Kattowitz]], [[Prussia]]
|poisonous gases
|104
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ostatnia szychta w kopalni Kleofas |url=https://www.se.pl/wiadomosci/polska/ostatnia-szychta-w-kopalni-kleofas-aa-hCEb-KAnD-1iSG.html |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=www.se.pl |language=pl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-04 |title=104 ofiary, 72 wdowy i 221 sierot. Wszystko przez maszynistę i jego lampę |url=https://katowice.wyborcza.pl/katowice/56,35063,24516448,w-nocy-z-3-na-4-marca-zginelo-w-pozarze-104-gornikow-przez.html |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=katowice.wyborcza.pl |language=pl}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|27 January 1896}}
|Tylorstown No. 8 Pit disaster
|{{Flagicon|Wales}} [[Tylorstown]], Wales
|methane gas explosion
|57 
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-01-28 |title=How 1896 Tylorstown pit disaster prompted safety change |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-15965188 |access-date=2025-01-16 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|26.03.1896}}
|[[Brunner Mine disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|NZL}} [[Brunner Mine]], New Zealand
|firedamp explosion
|65 
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brunner 1896- Mining Accident Database |url=http://www.mineaccidents.com.au/mine-event/187/brunner-1896 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.mineaccidents.com.au}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|30 April 1896}}
|[[Peckfield Colliery disaster|Peckfield Colliery Disaster]] 
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Micklefield]], England
|firedamp explosion
|63
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-12 |title=Survivors of the Peckfield Colliery Disaster |url=https://kippaxrollofhonour.home.blog/survivors-of-the-peckfield-colliery-disaster/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Kippax Roll of Honour |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|June 28, 1896}}
|[[Twin Shaft disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1891}} [[Pittston, Pennsylvania|Pittston]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States
|massive [[cave-in]]
|58
|
|-
|{{Date|2-4 December 1896}}
|Stockton Colliery disaster
|{{Flagicon|New South Wales}} [[Stockton, New South Wales|Stockton]], New South Wales
|gas inhalation
|11
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=1896 Stockton Colliery {{!}} Resources Regulator |url=https://www.resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au/safety/safety-events-and-education-programs/learning-from-disasters/learning-from-disasters/1896#anchor-case-study |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1896-12-17 |title=STOCKTON COLLIERY DISASTER. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14080205 |access-date=2025-01-16 |work=Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|18 December 1896}}
|Resica mine explosion
|{{Flagicon|Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen}} [[Domány]], Hungary
|underground gas explosion and fire
|80
|<ref name="banyaszat" /><ref>{{Cite journal |date=11 December 1896 |title=Несрећа у руднику |url=https://istorijskenovine.unilib.rs/view/index.html#panel:pp&#124;issue:BMS_00001_18961211&#124;page:3 |journal=Zastava |volume=XXXI |issue=186 |pages=3}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|10 May 1897}}
|[[Snaefell Mine]] disaster
|{{Flagicon|Isle of Man}} [[Snaefell]], [[Isle of Man]]
|[[carbon monoxide poisoning]]
|20
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laxey Miners |url=https://manxnationalheritage.im/exploring-primary-evidence/manx-miners/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Manx National Heritage |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|24 January 1898}}
|Second Resica mine explosion
|{{Flagicon|Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen}} Domány, Hungary
|underground gas explosion and cave-in
|10
|<ref name="banyaszat" />
|-
|{{Date|21 March 1898}}
|Dudley Colliery explosion
|{{Flagicon|New South Wales}} [[Redhead, New South Wales|Redhead]], New South Wales
|firedamp explosion
|15
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=1898 Dudley Colliery {{!}} Resources Regulator |url=https://www.resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au/safety/safety-events-and-education-programs/learning-from-disasters/learning-from-disasters/1898 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|19th April 1898}}
|Whitwick Colliery Disaster
|{{Flagicon|England}} [[Coalville]], England
|fire
|35 
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whitwick Page 1 |url=http://www.healeyhero.co.uk/rescue/pits/Whitwick/Whitwick-1.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=www.healeyhero.co.uk}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|June 15, 1899}}
|1899 Hokoku Coal Mine Disaster
|{{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Itoda, Fukuoka|Itoda]], Japan
|coal dust explosion
|{{Sort|211|210-215}}
|<ref>{{Cite book |last=Burton |first=W. Donald |url=https://vdoc.pub/download/coal-mining-women-in-japan-heavy-burdens-rsvtbafntr40 |title=Coal-mining Women In Japan: Heavy Burdens |publisher=ROUTLEDGE |location=London and New York |pages=74}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|June 16, 1899}}
|Caledonia Mine explosion
|{{Flagicon|Canada|variant=1868}} [[Glace Bay]], Canada
|firedamp explosion
|11
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-27 |title=Caledonia Mine Explosion, Glace Bay, 1899 |url=https://museumofindustry.novascotia.ca/nova-scotia-industry/nova-scotia-coal-mining-tragedies/cape-breton-county-coalfield/caledonia-mine |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Museum of Industry}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|28 Aug 1899 }}
|[[Sumitomo]] [[Besshi copper mine|Besshi mine]] disaster
|{{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Niihama]], Japan
|landslide 
|512 
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-25 |title=Worst Mining Disasters In Human History |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/worst-mining-disasters-in-human-history.html |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=WorldAtlas |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{Date|March 6, 1900}}
|[[Red Ash Mine disasters|Red Ash Mine disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1891}} [[Fire Creek, West Virginia]], United States
|carbon monoxide poisoning
|46
|
|-
|{{Date|May 1, 1900}}
|[[Scofield Mine disaster]]
|{{Flagicon|USA|variant=1891}} [[Scofield, Utah|Scofield]], [[Utah]], United States
|coal dust explosion
|{{Sort|200|at least 200}}
|
|-
|{{Date|September 19, 1900}}
|Frisch Glück Mine Disaster
|{{Flagicon|Lands of the Bohemian Crown
}} Dux, Bohemia
|underground gas explosion
|55
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=s.r.o |first=Turistika cz |title=Památník katastrofy na dole… - Památník {{!}} Turistika.cz |url=https://www.turistika.cz/mista/pamatnik-katastrofy-na-dole-svezi-stesti/detail |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.turistika.cz |language=cs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=20 September 1900 |title=Вести из места и са стране |url=https://istorijskenovine.unilib.rs/view/index.html#panel:pp&#124;issue:BMS_00001_19000920&#124;page:3 |journal=Zastava |volume=XXXV |issue=207 |pages=3}}</ref>
|}

===20th century===
{{main category|20th-century mining disasters}}
*'''May 19, 1902:''' 216 miners were killed in the [[Fraterville Mine disaster]] in [[Fraterville, Tennessee]]
*'''January 25, 1904:''' 179 miners and two aid workers were killed in the Harwick mine disaster, [[Harwick, Pennsylvania]]
*'''April 28, 1904:''' 63 people were killed in Villanueva del Río, Sevilla; it was the worst mining accident recorded in Spain.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.abc.es/espana/20131028/abci-accidentes-mineros-espania-201310281648.html |title=Los accidentes mineros más graves de la historia de España |trans-title=The most serious mining accidents in the history of Spain |newspaper=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]] |date=2013-10-28 |language=es |access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref>
*'''October 28, 1904;''' 19 miners were killed in [[Tercio, Colorado]] by a coal dust explosion.<ref name="Sherard">{{cite web |last1=Sherard |first1=Gerald E. |title=Pre-1963 Colorado Mining Fatalities |url=https://digital.denverlibrary.org/digital/collection/p16079coll16/id/1931/ |website=Denver Public Library |access-date=27 September 2022}}</ref> 
*'''February 20, 1905''' Virginia City Mine explosion (Alabama), 112 killed.<ref>{{cite book |last=Flynt |first=Wayne |title=Poor But Proud |date= 2016 |publisher=[[University of Alabama Press]] |location=2875}}</ref> 
*'''March 10, 1906:''' [[Courrières mine disaster]] in [[Courrières]], France. 1,099 workers died in the worst mine accident in European history.
*'''December 1, 1907:''' [[Naomi Mine explosion|Naomi Mine Explosion]] in [[Fayette City, Pennsylvania]]. 34 workers died.
*'''December 4, 1907''' [[Giroux Mining Accidents]] [[Ely, Nevada]]. 2 dead; 3 trapped.
*'''December 6, 1907:''' [[Monongah Mining disaster]] in [[Monongah, West Virginia]]. Official death toll is 362, but due to inadequate record keeping, the true death toll could be around 500.<ref>
{{Cite book
| last = McAteer
| first = Davitt
| title = Monongah: The Tragic Story of the 1907 Monongah Mine Disaster, the Worst Industrial Accident in US History
| publisher = [[West Virginia University Press]]
| date = 2007
| pages = 332
| url = http://wvupressonline.com/McAteer_Monongah_9781933202297
| isbn = 978-1-933202-29-7
}}</ref> Victims were mostly [[Italian American|Italian immigrant]] workers, including children. The disaster is widely considered the worst coal mining accident in American history.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monongah Mine Disaster: Topics in Chronicling America |url=https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-monongah-mine-disaster#:~:text=The%20Monongah%20Mine%20Disaster%20is,as%20well%20as%20the%20surface. |access-date=28 April 2024 |publisher=Library of Congress |date=2024 |quote=The Monongah Mine Disaster is widely considered to be the worst mine disaster in American history. On December 6, 1907, mines 6 and 8 of the Monongah Mine in West Virginia suffered a devastating explosion. The explosion destroyed much of the mine as well as the surface.}}</ref>
*'''December 16, 1907''': Yolande mine explosion near [[Birmingham, Alabama]]. Fifty-seven killed.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Flynt|first1=Wayne|title=Poor But Proud|date=2016|publisher=University of Alabama Press|location=2880}}</ref>
*'''December 19, 1907:''' [[Darr Mine disaster]] in [[Rostraver Township, Pennsylvania]]. 239 workers died, including children.
*'''August 18, 1908:''' [[Maypole Colliery disaster]] in Abram, Greater Manchester, England. 75 men and boys died.<ref>{{cite web |title=Abram remembers pit disaster |url=https://www.wigantoday.net/news/abram-remembers-pit-disaster-victims-1-190072 |publisher=Wigan Today |access-date=14 October 2019}}</ref>
*'''November 28, 1908''': Marianna mine explosion near [[Marianna, Pennsylvania]]. 154 men killed, one survivor.<ref name="marianna">{{cite web|title=Marianna Mine Disaster|url=https://www.mariannapa.org/mine-disaster |publisher=Marianna Borough |access-date=7 December 2020}}</ref>
*'''November 13, 1909:''' [[Cherry Mine disaster]] in [[Cherry, Illinois]]. 259 workers, some as young as eleven, died in this mine fire, which had the most fatalities of any mine fire in the United States. 
*'''December 21, 1910''': [[Pretoria Pit disaster|The Pretoria Pit disaster]] in Westhoughton, Lancashire, 344 men and boys lost their lives in this explosion, which is the worst mining disaster on one day in England.
*'''January 20, 1911''': 40 coal miners die in [[Sosnowiec]], [[Congress Poland|Russian Poland]].<ref>MINE FIRE KILLS FORTY: Disaster In Casimir Colliery In Russian Poland. (1911). The New York Times, p. 5.</ref>
*'''April 8. 1911''' [[Banner Mine disaster]] near Littleton, Alabama. Of the 128 men killed, most were leased Black convicts. 
*'''August 24, 1911''' [[Giroux Mining Accidents]] [[Ely, Nevada]] 7 dead 2 injured
*'''December 9, 1911:''' [[Cross Mountain Mine disaster]] killed 84 miners in [[Briceville, Tennessee]]
*'''October 14, 1913:''' [[Senghenydd colliery disaster]], the worst mining accident in the United Kingdom; 439 workers died in Wales.
*'''October 22, 1913''': [[Dawson, New Mexico#Disasters|Dawson Stag Canon Number 2 Mine disaster]], near [[Dawson, New Mexico]],<ref>[[Dawson, New Mexico]]</ref> where 263 workers were killed due to illegal use of dynamite.
*'''April 28, 1914''':  The Eccles mine disaster was an explosion of coal-seam, in Eccles, West Virginia. The explosion took the lives of at least 180 men and boys
*'''June 8, 1917''': [[Speculator Mine disaster]] in [[Butte, Montana]]. An electric cable being lowered into the mine was accidentally ignited at 2,500 feet below the surface. The fire quickly climbed the cable and ignited the mine's wooden shaft. The shaft became a chimney, eliminating the mine's primary source of oxygen. Nearly all of the 168 fatalities were due to asphyxia, from carbon monoxide poisoning. This is the deadliest underground hard rock mining disaster in United States history.
*'''January 12, 1918''' [[Minnie Pit disaster]] in [[Staffordshire]], England was a coal mining accident in which 155 men and boys died (144 from carbon monoxide poisoning and 11 from violence, plus carbon monoxide poisoning). The disaster, which was caused by an explosion due to firedamp, is the worst ever recorded in the North Staffordshire Coalfield. An official investigation never established what caused the ignition of flammable gases in the pit. 
*'''February 8, 1923''' The [[Dawson, New Mexico#Disasters|Dawson Stag Canon #1 Mine Explosion]] killed 123; many were descendants of men killed in the 1913 explosion at the same mine. As a mine car derailed, it caused sparks and ignited coal dust, causing the explosion.
*'''February 20, 1925''' The City Mine Disaster, Sullivan County, Indiana, United States.  An explosion occurred at this coal mine, killing 51.<ref>{{cite journal |editor1-last=Nystrom |editor1-first=Eric |title=In the Aftermath of Tragedy: Herschel Wence and the 1925 City Mine Disaster, Sullivan County, Indiana |journal=The Mining History Journal |date=2014 |volume=21 |pages=22–29 |url=https://www.mininghistoryassociation.org/Journal/MHJ-v21-2014-Nystrom.pdf |access-date=2 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cummings |first1=Molly |title=100th anniversary of Sullivan City Mine explosion next month |url=https://www.mywabashvalley.com/news/local-news/100th-anniversary-of-sullivan-city-mine-explosion-next-month/ |website=MyWabashValley.com |access-date=2 February 2025 |date=31 January 2025}}</ref>
* '''November 3, 1926''' The [[Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster]], near Ishpeming, Michigan, United States.  A stope collapse allowed water and quicksand to fill most of the mine within 15 minutes, and 51 miners drowned.
* '''1927–1932:''' [[Hawks Nest Tunnel disaster]], near [[Gauley Bridge]], West Virginia, United States. Over several years, 476 workers died from [[silicosis]].
*'''January 3, 1934:''' Nelson III Coal Mine, Osek u Duchcova, [[Czechoslovakia]], Accumulated coal dust explosion. 142 dead miners including one woman. In June 1934, the accumulated gases knocked out the masonry cover above the pit and killed two more workers - the number of victims thus rose to 144. 
*'''April 21, 1934''': [[1934 Kakanj mine disaster]]. 127 miners died in an explosion in the [[Kakanj coal mine]] in [[Kakanj]], [[Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]. 
*'''July 2, 1937''' The Holditch (also known as Brymbo) Colliery disaster was a coal mining accident in Chesterton, Staffordshire, England, in which 30 men died and eight were injured. It was caused due to a fire and subsequent explosions. Fatalities were exacerbated because management chose to try to save the coal seam, and risked the lives of mine workers while delaying  evacuation.
*'''November 11, 1937:''' According to [[Japanese government]] official confirmed report, after a long period of heavy rain, a huge landslide hit the Ogushi sulfur mine, followed by a landslide and smelter fire at [[Tsumagoi]], [[Gunma Prefecture]], Japan, resulting in 245 human fatalities and 32 persons injured.
*'''May 10, 1938:''' Explosion in Markham No. 1 Colliery near [[Staveley, Derbyshire]], England. 79 workers died and 40 were seriously injured.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.oldminer.co.uk/1938-markham-disaster.html |title = 1938 Markham Disaster – Neil's Local History & Mining Site}}</ref>
*'''February 28, 1940:'''  Minerary Explosion in Raša near [[Labin]], Kingdom of Italy. 185 workers died, 150 were injured.
*'''July 15, 1940:'''  Sonman Explosion near [[Portage, Pennsylvania]].  63 workers died.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Portrait of a Town, Portage, Pennsylvania 1890–1990 |publisher=A.G. Halldin Publishing Company |year=1990 |location=Indiana, PA |pages=117–124}}</ref>
*'''April 26, 1942:''' [[Benxihu Colliery]] disaster in [[Benxi]], [[Liaoning]], China. 1,549 workers died, in the worst coal mine accident ever in the world. At the time, during World War II, this area was occupied by Japan and the mine was under control of Japanese managers. The overwhelming number of dead were Chinese forced labourers.
*'''June 19, 1945:''' [[1945 El Teniente mining accident]] in [[El Teniente]], Chile. 355 workers died and  another 747 were injured.
* '''February 20, 1946:''' {{interlanguage link|Monopol Grimberg III/IV|de|Zeche Monopol Schacht Grimberg 3/4}} disaster in [[Bergkamen]], [[Ruhr]], Germany. 405 died.
*'''March 25, 1947:''' Coal dust explosion in [[Centralia, Illinois]], mine killed 111 miners. 
*'''July 14, 1949:''' firedamp explosion at the María Luisa pit ([[Langreo]], [[Asturias]], [[Spain]]), killing 17 miners and 4 [[mule]]s. 
*'''September 7, 1950:''' Knockshinnoch Mine Disaster: Ayrshire Scotland: Liquid peat and moss flooded the mine, trapping over 100 men underground. It took days to reach the trapped men of whom 13 died. 
*'''December 21, 1951:''' Orient 2 coal mine explosion in [[West Frankfort]], [[Illinois]]. 119 workers died.
*'''December 10, 1954:''' [[Newton Chikli Colliery disaster]], Chhindwara (M.P.), India. Flooding of the mine was caused by inrush of water from old workings of the same mine. There were 112 persons inside the mine when it was flooded. 49 persons managed to escape through the incline; the remaining 63 persons were trapped and drowned.
*'''August 8, 1956:''' ''[[Bois du Cazier]]'' disaster in [[Marcinelle]], Belgium. A fire in the mines resulted in 262 deaths; of the 274 people working in ''Bois du Cazier'' on that morning, only twelve survived. 138 of the victims were Italian migrant workers.
*'''October 28, 1958:''' [http://www.wvculture.org/history/disasters/oglebaynorton03.html Oglebay-Norton mine, Craigsville, West Virginia] 14 died.
*'''January 22, 1959:''' [[Knox Mine disaster]] at River Slope Mine, Port Griffith [[Luzerne County, Pennsylvania]] – flooding from the riverbed above works killed 12 miners
*'''October 15, 1959:''' Mohawk Mine disaster at Silver Peak, Esmeralda County, Nevada - the collapse of the condemned Hines 202 stope buried 3 miners who were never recovered.<ref>{{cite web | title=Mohawk Mine, Silver Peak District, a site of progress and tragedy | date=9 June 2025 | url=https://www.wilddeathvalley.com/mohawk-mine-silver-peak-district-a-site-of/ }}</ref>
*'''January 21, 1960:''' [[Coalbrook mining disaster]], [[South Africa]], 437 died.
*'''May 9, 1960:''' Laobaidong colliery coal dust explosion [[Datong]], China, 682 died.
*'''July 7, 1961:''' Dukla Coal Mine, Dolní Suchá, [[Czechoslovakia]], Fire and carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths of 108 miners. 
*'''November 5, 1962:''' [[Kings Bay AS|Kings Bay]] in [[Ny-Ålesund]] on the Norwegian territory of [[Svalbard]] 21 miners  killed in an explosion. 
*'''November 9, 1963:''' [[Miike coal mine#Incidents|Mitsui Miike Coal Mine disaster]] [[Miike coal mine|Mitsui Miike]], [[Ōmuta, Fukuoka]], Japan; 458 died.<ref>Kawabata, Tai, "[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20110814x2.html Film mines rich seams of history]", ''[[Japan Times]]'', 14 August 2011, p. 8.</ref>
*'''March 28, 1965''': Several tailing dams at a copper mine failed during an [[1965 Valparaíso earthquake and El Cobre dam failure|earthquake]], releasing water and slag which wiped out the town of El Cobre in [[Valparaíso Region]], [[Chile]]; 350–400 miners and residents died.
*'''May 17, 1965:''' [[Cambrian Colliery]] in [[South Wales]]; 31 died. 
*'''May 28, 1965:''' [[1965 Dhanbad coal mine disaster|Dhanbad coal mine disaster]] took place in [[Jharkhand]], India, killing over 300 miners.
*'''June 7, 1965''': [[1965 Kakanj mine disaster]]. 128 miners died in an explosion in the [[Kakanj coal mine]] in [[Kakanj]], [[SR Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[SFR Yugoslavia]].
*'''October 21, 1966:''' [[Aberfan Disaster]] was a catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil-tip that caused an avalanche in the [[Wales|Welsh]]  village of Aberfan, engulfing Pantglas Junior School, killing 116 children and 28 adults.
*'''November 20, 1968:''' [[Farmington Mine disaster|Farmington Mine Disaster]] in [[Farmington, West Virginia]]. 78 workers died. As a result of the disaster, the U.S. [[United States Congress|Congress]] passed the [[Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969]].
*'''December 30, 1970:''' [[Hurricane Creek mine disaster]] in [[Hyden, Kentucky]]. 39 miners died due to unsafe mine conditions. Occurred exactly one year after the passage of the [[Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969]].
*'''June 6, 1972:''' [[Wankie coal mine disaster]] [[Wankie]], [[Rhodesia]]/[[Zimbabwe]], 426 fatalities.
*'''March 21, 1973:''' [[Lofthouse Colliery disaster]], [[West Yorkshire]], England, seven fatalities.
*'''July 30, 1973:''' [[Markham Colliery disaster]] near [[Staveley, Derbyshire]], England. 18 workers were killed and 11 seriously injured when a descending cage failed to slow at the bottom of the mine shaft.
*'''December 27, 1974:''' An explosion and a fire in a coal mine near [[Liévin]], France kills 41 and injures a further six in the worst mining disaster in France since World War II.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/12/28/archives/41-french-coal-miners-killed-by-explosion-and-fire.html |title = 41 French Coal Miners Killed by Explosion and Fire|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|date = 1974-12-28}}</ref>
*'''December 27, 1975:''' [[Chasnala mining disaster]], [[Dhanbad]], [[Jharkhand]], India, 372 miners died and another 130 contract workers are claimed to have died when water from adjacent mine gusted after the wall in between collapsed. 
*'''October 16, 1981:''' A methane explosion in a coal mine owned by Kokutan Yubari Mining Company near [[Yūbari, Hokkaido]] resulted in 93 deaths including 10 rescuers.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/27/business/japan-s-big-energy-setback.html |title = Japan's Big Energy Setback|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 1984-10-27}}</ref>
*'''December 8, 1981:''' [[No. 21 Mine explosion]] near [[Whitwell, Tennessee]]. 13 coal miners died as a result of the explosion.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/09/us/explosion-kills-13-in-tennessee-mine.html |title = Explosion Kills 13 in Tennessee Mine|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 1981-12-09}}</ref>
*'''January 18, 1984:''' [[Miike coal mine]] A fire in a mine owned by Mitsui Mining Company near [[Ōmuta, Fukuoka]] resulted in 83 deaths and an additional 13 injuries.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/20/world/toll-of-dead-rises-to-83-in-mine-fire-in-southern-japan.html |title = Toll of Dead Rises to 83 in Mine Fire in Southern Japan|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 1984-01-20}}</ref>
*'''July 19, 1985:''' [[Val di Stava dam collapse]] took place in the village of Stava, near [[Tesero]], Italy, when two tailings dams failed that had been used for sedimenting the mud from the nearby Prestavel mine. It resulted in one of Italy's worst disasters, killing 268 people, destroying 63 buildings, and demolishing eight bridges.
*'''September 16, 1986''' [[Kinross mining disaster]]. In [[South Africa]] an underground fire killed 177 people.
*'''June 2, 1988''' {{interlanguage link|Stolzenbach mining disaster|de|Grubenunglück von Stolzenbach}} in [[Borken, Hesse]]. A lignite mine devastated by an explosion, 57 fatalities.
*'''November 18, 1989''': 90 miners killed in the [[Aleksinački Rudnik]] mine in [[SR Serbia]], [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|SFRepublic of Yugoslavia]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=21 November 1989 |title=Преживелих нема |url=https://istorijskenovine.unilib.rs/view/index.html#panel:pp&#124;issue:UB_00064_19891121&#124;page:1 |journal=Borba |volume=LXVIII |issue=326 |pages=1}}</ref>
*'''August 26, 1990''': [[Dobrnja-Jug mine disaster]]. 180 miners were killed at the Mramor [[coal mine]] near [[Tuzla]], [[SR Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[SFR Yugoslavia]].
* '''May 9, 1992:''' [[Westray Mine]], Pictou County, [[Nova Scotia]].  26 killed in a methane and coal dust explosion. 
*'''May 9, 1993:''' [[Nambija mine disaster]], Nambija, [[Ecuador]]. Approximately 300 people were killed in a landslide
*'''May 13, 1993:''' Middelbult colliery near the town of [[Secunda, Mpumalanga|Secunda]] in South Africa. 53 people killed in an underground methane explosion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://mg.co.za/article/1998-08-11-sasol-could-have-prevented-colliery-deaths/|title='Sasol could have prevented colliery deaths'|newspaper=Mail & Guardian|date=11 August 1998}}</ref> 
*'''August 28, 1994:''' [[Rajpura Dariba Mine VRM disaster]], Dariba, Udaipur, India: This incident occurred due to flooding of the slurry from a mined VRM [[Underground mining hard rock]] stop, where cemented fill could not settle and its plug failed.  This slurry accumulated in the plugged shaft, which could not take the load and subsequently failed. All of the material fell in the shaft, resulting in the drowning deaths of 63 people working below.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ismenvis.nic.in/Database/Rajpur_Dariba_Mine_2881994_9464.aspx|title=Rajpur Dariba Mine on 28.8.1994|website=ismenvis.nic.in}}</ref><ref>[http://www.novamining.com/knowledgebase/mining-accidents-analysis/inundations/rajpur-dariba-mine-on-28-8-1994/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118163044/http://www.novamining.com/knowledgebase/mining-accidents-analysis/inundations/rajpur-dariba-mine-on-28-8-1994/|date=2016-11-18}}; inundations/rajpura-dariba-mine-on-28-8-1994</ref>
* '''February 22, 1994:''' [[Merriespruit tailings dam disaster]], where 17 people died when a tailings dam failed.
* '''May 10, 1995:''' [[Vaal Reefs mining disaster]], South Africa; a locomotive fell down a lift shaft and landed on a cage, causing the deaths of 104 people.
* '''March 24, 1996:''' [[Marcopper mining disaster]], occurred in the island province of [[Marinduque]], [[Philippines]]. A mine tailings pit fracture caused toxic waste to flood the Makulapnit-Boac river, displacing 400 families in Barangay Hinapulan. Drinking water contamination killed fish and shrimp, while large animals perished. Crops, irrigation channels, and the Boac River were destroyed. A year after, Republic Act No. 7942,  also known as "The Philippine Mining Act of 1995" was enacted.
* '''August 31, 1995:''' firedamp explosion at the San Nicolás Pit (Ablaña, Asturias, Spain), killing 14 miners.

===21st century===
{{main category|21st-century mining disasters}}
*'''January 30, 2000:''' [[2000 Baia Mare cyanide spill|Baia Mare cyanide spill]] took place in [[Baia Mare]], [[Romania]]. The accident, called the worst environmental disaster in Europe since [[Chernobyl]], was a release of 100,000&nbsp;tons of cyanide-contaminated water by an Aurul mining company when a reservoir broke, releasing its waters into the rivers [[Someş]], [[Tisza]] and [[Danube]]. Although no human fatalities were reported, the leak killed up to 80% of aquatic life of some of the affected rivers.
*'''October 11, 2000:''' [[Martin County coal slurry spill|2000 Martin County coal slurry spill]] occurred after midnight when the bottom of a coal slurry impoundment owned by [[Massey Energy]] in [[Martin County, Kentucky]], broke into an abandoned underground mine below. The slurry came out of the mine openings, sending an estimated 306 million US gallons (1.16 million cubic metres; 1.16 billion litres) of slurry down two tributaries of the Tug Fork River. By morning, Wolf Creek was oozing with the black waste; on Coldwater Fork, a 10-foot-wide (3.0 m) stream became a 100-yard (91 m) expanse of thick slurry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sludge Spill Pollutes Ky., W. Va. Waters |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=95285&page=1&singlePage=true |publisher=ABC |date=23 October 2000}}</ref>
*'''September 23, 2001''': [[Brookwood Mine Disaster]] At approximately 5:15 p.m., at the Jim Walter Resources No. 5 coal mine in Brookwood, Alabama a cave-in caused a release of methane gas that sparked two major explosions, killing 13 miners.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brookwood Mine Disaster {{!}} Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) |url=https://www.msha.gov/brookwood-mine-disaster |website=www.msha.gov |publisher=US Department of Labor |access-date=8 June 2022}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
*'''January 23, 2002''': [[La Espuela Coal Mine disaster]] The disaster was caused by flooding of the shaft. Without the ability to flee, the 13 miners drowned.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alabama mine blast kills thirteen |url=https://www.jornada.com.mx/2002/01/26/044n1con.php?origen=index.html |date=26 January 2002}}</ref>
*'''February 19, 2006''': [[Pasta de Conchos mine disaster|Pasta de Conchos accident]]. 65 miners lost their lives in the mining accident near [[Nueva Rosita]], [[Coahuila]], [[Mexico]]. Only 2 bodies were recovered.
*[[File:Crandall Canyon Mine Memorial.jpg|thumb|A memorial to the men killed in the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse.]]'''August 6, 2007:''' [[Crandall Canyon Mine]] collapse. 6 miners and 3 rescue workers killed after subsequent collapses caused by inadequate mine design.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSHA - Crandall Canyon Accident Investigation Summary and Conclusions |url=https://arlweb.msha.gov/genwal/ccsummary.asp |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=arlweb.msha.gov}}</ref>  
*'''May–June 2009:''' [[2009 Harmony Gold mine deaths]] - at least 82 miners died from inhalation of poisonous gasses created by a fire in a closed section of the mine where unofficial miners were operating illegally.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://business.iafrica.com/news/1723474.htm |title=South African Press Association, "Illegal and lethal", ''iafrica.com'' (01:21pm 08 Jun 2009) |access-date=2009-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712235110/http://business.iafrica.com/news/1723474.htm |archive-date=2011-07-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="SA mine tragedy: Death toll rises">{{cite web|url=http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=5345&cat=1|title=SA mine tragedy: Death toll rises|date=2009-06-04|accessdate=2009-06-04|publisher=[[The Herald (Zimbabwe)|The Herald (Harare)]]| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090608164845/http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=5345&cat=1| archivedate= 8 June 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref>
*'''April 5, 2010:''' [[Upper Big Branch Mine disaster]], West Virginia. An explosion occurred in [[Massey Energy]]'s Upper Big Branch coal. 29 of 31 miners at the site were killed.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytime-s.com/2010/04/10/us/10westvirginia.html|title=10westvirginia|work=The New York Times|access-date=2014-01-28|first=Ian|last=Urbina|date=9 April 2010}}</ref>
*'''May 8, 2010:''' [[Raspadskaya mine explosion]] in [[Kemerovo Oblast]], [[Russia]].  An explosion believed to have been caused by a methane build up.  66 people were confirmed to have died with at least 99 others injured and as many as 24 unaccounted for.
*'''November 19, 2010:''' [[Pike River Mine disaster]] in New Zealand. At 3:45 pm, the coal mine exploded. 29 men underground died immediately, or shortly afterwards, from the blast or from the toxic atmosphere. Two men in the stone drift, some distance from the mine workings, managed to escape. (Extract from Royal Commission of Enquiry Report on Pike River.)
*'''October 28, 2013:''' a leak of firedamp gas killed six miners working at a depth of almost 700 metres in the Emilio del Valle mine in [[Province of León|León]], [[Castile and León|Castille and León]], Spain.
*'''May 13, 2014:''' [[Soma mine disaster]] took place in [[Soma, Manisa|Soma]], Turkey. The accident was reportedly the worst mining accident ever in Turkey, and is the worst mining accident in the 21st century so far. 301 people died.
*'''January 6, 2019:''' [[2019 Kohistan mine collapse]], [[Afghanistan]]. The accident killed at least 30 gold miners.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46772155|title=Afghan gold mine collapse kills 30|date=2019-01-06|publisher=BBC News|access-date=2019-01-07}}</ref>
*'''July 2, 2020:''' At least 174 people were killed in a landslide in the [[2020 Hpakant jade mine disaster]] in the [[Hpakant]] area in [[Myanmar]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Myanmar jade mine landslide kills more than 100 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53260834 |publisher=BBC |date=2 July 2020}}</ref>
*'''December 1, 2020:''' At least 18 people were killed by a carbon monoxide leak in the [[Diaoshuidong mine disaster]] in [[Chongqing]] in China.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chinese coal miners killed by carbon monoxide poisoning |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-55196132 |publisher=BBC |date=5 December 2020}}</ref>
*'''November 25, 2021:''' [[Listvyazhnaya mine disaster]] in [[Kemerovo Oblast]], [[Russia]].  Smoke from a fire in a ventilation shaft caused the suffocation of over 40 miners.
*'''May 30, 2022:''' At least 12 people were killed by an explosion in [[La Mestiza coal mine]] in [[Colombia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Colombia rescuers 'won't give up' search for miners after blast |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-61706122 |publisher=BBC |date=6 June 2022}}</ref>
*''' August 3, 2022:''' 10 people missing after flooding at the [[El Pinabete coal mine]] in [[Sabinas, Coahuila]], [[Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-06 |title=Ten miners trapped underground in Mexico; advocates say there was 'clear evidence' that mine could collapse |url=https://www.tpr.org/news/2022-08-06/ten-miners-trapped-underground-in-mexico-advocates-say-there-was-clear-evidence-that-mine-could-collapse |website=TPR |language=en}}</ref>
*'''October 14, 2022:''' 41 killed in [[2022 Turkish Mine Explosion]] in [[Bartın]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-14 |title=Turkish mine explosion kills 28 and leaves dozens trapped |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63261746 |first1=Merlyn |last1=Thomas |first2=Elsa |last2=Maishman}}</ref>
*'''May 18, 2023:''' At least 31 miners died at an abandoned mine being mined illegally in [[Welkom]], South Africa.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/31-suspected-illegal-miners-believed-to-be-dead-at-welkom-mine-20230623|date=23 June 2023|publisher=News24|title=31 suspected illegal miners believed to be dead at Welkom mine|first=Iavan|last=Pijoos}}</ref>
*'''October 28, 2023:''' 46 killed in [[Kostenko mine disaster]] in the [[Karaganda Region]] of [[Kazakhstan]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2023-10-31 |title=ArcelorMittal asked to leave Kazakhstan following tragedy in Kostenko coal mine| url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/31/arcelormittal-asked-to-leave-kazakhstan-following-tragedy-in-kostenko-coal-mine_6215995_4.html| publisher=Le Monde| first=Jean-Michel| last=Bezat}}</ref>
*'''March 31, 2025:''' At least 5 killed and 4 injured by an explosion at the Cerredo mine in [[Degaña| Degaña, Asturias]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Explosion at Spanish mine kills at least five |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dj1dx0y78o |access-date=31 March 2025 |work=BBC News |date=31 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Spain: At least 5 dead after blast at Asturias coal mine – DW – 03/31/2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/spain-at-least-5-dead-after-blast-at-asturias-coal-mine/a-72095792 |access-date=31 March 2025 |work=dw.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Accidents by country==
{{main category|Coal mining disasters by country}}

===Australia===
{{main category|Mining disasters in Australia}}
{{see also|List of environmental accidents in the fossil fuel industry in Australia}}

[[File:John Longstaff - Breaking the News, 1887.jpg|thumb|''[[Breaking the News (painting)|Breaking the News]]'', painted by Australian artist [[John Longstaff]] in 1887, depicts a miner informing a widow of her husband's death in a mining accident.]]
[[File:MountMulligan.jpg|thumb|Mount Mulligan disaster 1921 – the steel cable drums were blown 50 feet from their foundations.]]

22 miners drowned in December 1882 in the Australasian number 2 deep lead gold mine at Creswick in Victoria.<ref>Diary of Disaster, Len Williams, 1982</ref> The mine was violently flooded by a burst of water when miners digging a new drive approached too close to the abandoned and flooded Australasian number 1 workings, due to an error in surveying by the manager of the mine.<ref>PROV Inquest (Number 494 of 1883)</ref> 5 miners survived and were rescued after 50 hours trapped underground. This disaster, with the highest death toll from a gold mine disaster in Australian history, left 63 children without fathers and 18 widows.<ref>Mining Accident relief fund act 1884 (Victoria)</ref>

The [[Bulli, New South Wales|Bulli Mine Disaster]] of 23 March 1887 involved a [[gas explosion]] in the mine that killed 81 men and boys, leaving 50 women widows and 150 children without fathers.

The [[Mount Kembla#Mine disaster|Mount Kembla Mine Disaster]] of 31 July 1902 was an explosion resulting in the death of 96 miners, including two engaged in rescue work. It remains the worst mining disaster in Australian history.

A coal dust explosion at the [[Mount Mulligan mine disaster|Mount Mulligan mine]] on 19 September 1921 killed 75 or 76 workers.

Tasmania's [[Beaconsfield Mine collapse]] occurred on 25 April 2006. Of the 17 people who were in the mine at the time, 14 escaped immediately following the collapse, one was killed and the remaining two were found alive after five days. The survivors were trapped in a 1.5m x 1.2m cherry picker cage, which had saved them from being crushed by rocks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.angelofoz.com/beaconsfield_miners_2006/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117100739/http://www.angelofoz.com/beaconsfield_miners_2006/index.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 17, 2008|title=Beaconsfield Miners 2006 – The Great Escape |website=www.angelofoz.com}}</ref> As it was not safe for rescuers to blast their way through, a special borer was brought in to drill an escape shaft. They were finally released on 9 May after 14&nbsp;days underground.

Three mining disasters occurred at Moura in a 20-year period. The first of these was in 1975, at the Kianga Mine, where 13 men died in an underground explosion. The mine was sealed without their bodies being retrieved. In 1986 a second disaster occurred, as an underground explosion, which took the lives of 12 miners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amsj.com.au/moura-no-4-mine-disaster/|title=Remembering Moura No 4 mine disaster |date=2019-07-16|website=Australasian Mine Safety Journal|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref> The bodies of all those persons were retrieved. In Moura on 7 August 1994 a third major mining accident occurred with an explosion at Moura No. 2 Mine. A second explosion at the mine approximately a day and a half later saw rescue attempts abandoned, and the mine was sealed, with the bodies of the 11 miners unretrieved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amsj.com.au/moura-no-2-mine-disaster-written-in-blood/|title=Moura No.2 Mine Disaster {{!}} Written in Blood |date=2016-02-14|website=Australasian Mine Safety Journal|access-date=2020-01-25}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Gretley}}In the 1996 Gretley coal mine disaster, near Newcastle, four men were killed when their mining machine broke into the flooded workings of an old coalmine, abandoned over 80 years earlier.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2003-08-12/charges-laid-over-gretley-coal-mine-disaster/1463042 "Charges laid over Gretley coal mine disaster" ABC news 12/8/2003]. Accessed 21/3/2014</ref><ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/09/1092022390689.html?from=storylhs "Mine found guilty over Gretley disaster"] ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' 9/8/2004 – accessed 21/3/2014</ref>

Four miners were killed in a windblast incident at the [[Northparkes]] mine outside the New South Wales town of Parkes in 1999.<ref name="abc">{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s68840.htm|title=PM – North Parkes mine disaster|publisher=abc.net.au|date=1999-11-25|access-date=2014-01-28}}</ref>

A mine collapsed at [[Ballarat]] Gold Mine in Victoria on March 14, 2024, resulting in a man dead, and another in critical condition. The two had been 'air legging' in a prohibited area under unsupported ground when the collapse occurred at 4:50pm. 29 other miners took refuge in a safety pod and were later brought to safety. The air legging technique is to be no longer used temporarily while a work safe investigation is underway. [[Australian Workers' Union]] organiser Ross Kenna said the geology of the mine is not suitable for the technique.<ref>{{cite web |title=Final moments before mine collapse explained as safety investigations get underway |date=15 March 2024 |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/final-moments-before-mine-collapse-explained-as-safety-investigations-get-underway/news-story/e02939419cc4b007838e5657583ffedf |publisher=The Australian |access-date=20 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ballarat Gold Mine no longer using air legging technique |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-mornings/air-legging-at-ballarat-mine-stopped/103608544 |website=ABC listen |access-date=20 March 2024 |language=en-AU |date=19 March 2024}}</ref>

=== Belgium ===
{{main category|Mining disasters in Belgium}}

On March 4, 1887, 120 miners died in a coal mine in La Boule, [[Borinage]] due to a [[methane]] explosion.<ref name="ff597">{{Cite web|url=http://maz-ale-01.mazenod.wa.edu.au/groups/1en1a/revisions/ff597/2/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130805083822/http://maz-ale-01.mazenod.wa.edu.au/groups/1en1a/revisions/ff597/2/|url-status= dead|title=Mining accident: 2|archive-date=2013-08-05}}</ref>

On the morning of August 8, 1956, a fire in the mine ''[[Bois du Cazier]]'' in [[Marcinelle]] caused 262 victims, with only 12 survivors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.emporis.com/complex/114223/site-du-bois-du-cazier-charleroi-belgium|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731121051/http://www.emporis.com/complex/site-du-bois-du-cazier-charleroi-belgium|url-status= usurped|title=Site du Bois du Cazier &#124; Buildings &#124; EMPORIS|website=[[Emporis]]|archive-date=2012-07-31}}</ref> A mining cart on an elevator cage hit an oil pipe and electricity lines, with the resulting fire trapping the miners. Most of the victims were immigrants (136 Italians, 8 Poles, 6 Greeks, 5 Germans, 5 Frenchmen, 3 Hungarians, 1 Englishman, 1 Dutchman, 1 Russian and 1 Ukrainian.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/nc/ne/?id=101627|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111142316/http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/nc/ne/?id=101627|url-status= usurped|title=Emporis News|archive-date=November 11, 2006}}</ref>)

===Bosnia and Herzegovina===
{{main category|Mining disasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina}}

On September 4, 2014, after a 3.5 Richter earthquake hit Zenica caused [[rock burst]] in coal mine "Raspotočje", 34 miners remained trapped inside the mine. It was later reported that 5 miners were killed in the [[2014 Zenica mine disaster|accident]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibtimes.com/bosnia-mine-accident-34-coal-miners-trapped-after-gas-explosion-minor-earthquake-1679516 | title=Bosnia Mine Accident: 34 Coal Miners Trapped After Gas Explosion From Minor Earthquake | work=[[International Business Times]] | date=5 September 2014 | access-date=5 September 2014 | author=Varandani, Suman}}</ref>

===Canada===
{{main category|Mining disasters in Canada}}
*The [[1887 Nanaimo mine explosion]] in [[Nanaimo]], [[British Columbia]] killed 150 miners at the No 1 Esplanade Mine. Explosives were laid improperly triggering a massive mine-wide explosion. Most miners were killed instantly, only 7 survived. Of the 150 workers killed, 53 of them were Chinese, the names of which are mostly unknown.
*The [[Hillcrest mine disaster]], the worst coal mining disaster of Canadian history, occurred in [[Alberta]] in 1914. Deaths from the methane and coal dust-fueled explosion numbered 189; news coverage was eclipsed by the First World War. The mine remained in use until 1939.
*On May 20, 1980, a mining disaster in Val-d'Or, Quebec killed eight men under 68,000 tons of debris when part of a 150-meter shaft collapsed; 16 men escaped by scrambling through a partially completed ventilation shaft. Charges of manslaughter were made against the company which pled non guilty. It was not the fault of the owners of the operation, a jury has found in acquitting Belmoral Mines Ltd. on all charges. A song about this event called ''La tragédie de la Balmoral'' was recorded and published by singer Jean-Guy Gauthier in 1981.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chabot |first=Denys |title=Val-d'Or |publisher=La Société d'histoire et de généalogie de Val-d'Or |year=2009 |isbn=978-2-9804719-1-9 |location=Val-d'Or |pages=332 |language=French}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Jean-Guy Gauthier – 45 tours – Face A – La tragédie de la Belmoral |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_G7mUf5pjg |access-date=2023-03-18 |language=fr |via=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
*On 18 September 1992, at the height of a [[Labor unrest|labour dispute]] at the [[Giant Mine]] near [[Yellowknife]], an explosion resulting from a bomb planted by striking worker "Roger Warren", killed nine men riding through a transport tunnel.
*Coal mining accidents in the province of [[Nova Scotia]] spanning 65&nbsp;years referred to collectively as the [[Springhill mining disaster]]s, which claimed in total at least 138 lives of men and boys due to coal dust explosions. The [[Westray Mine|Westray Mine disaster]] in 1992 claimed the lives of 26 miners in a methane/coal dust explosion at a recently opened mining operation. Both of these mines were subsequently permanently closed in the wake of these events.
*On 17 May 2006, four people died due to [[asphyxiation]] in an accident at the decommissioned [[Sullivan Mine]].

=== Central African Republic ===

In June 2013, heavy rains provoked the collapse of a gold mine in [[Ndassima]], killing 37 miners and injuring many others.<ref>{{Citation
| url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-centralafrican-mine-idUKBRE95N17020130624
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160307220144/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-centralafrican-mine-idUKBRE95N17020130624
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = March 7, 2016
| title= At least 37 dead as Central African Republic gold mine collapses
| work=[[Reuters]]
| location = International
| date=24 June 2013
}}</ref>

=== Chile ===
{{main category|Mining disasters in Chile}}
<!-- [[WP:NFCC]] violation: [[File:Estamos bien los 33.svg|thumb|left|alt=Image of hand written note in Spanish, reading "''{{lang|es|"Estamos bien en el refugio, los 33"}}'' (English: ''"We are well in the shelter, the 33"'')|the note sent by the Chilean miners in 2010: ''"We are well in the shelter, the 33"'')]] -->
In June 1945, during a fire, 355 workers died in [[El Teniente]] by inhaling [[carbon monoxide]], in what was called the "[[1945 El Teniente mining accident|Tragedia del Humo]]" ({{langx|en|The Smoke Tragedy}}).

In January 2006, [[2006 Copiapó mining accident|an explosion occurred in a mine in Copiapó]], leaving 70 miners trapped underground. The miners were rescued after a brief period of time, but two people died.

In August 2010, 33 [[2010 Copiapó mining accident|miners were trapped underground]] in Copiapó. After two weeks communication was made with them but it was said at least four more months would pass before they could be rescued, though essential services could still be provided. The rescues began on October 12, 2010, and all the 33 miners were rescued within 22&nbsp;hours of first rescue. [[Reaction to the 2010 Copiapó mining accident|News of the success of the team led to celebrations around the country and much of the region]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Elaine Scott|title=Buried Alive!: How 33 Miners Survived 69 Days Deep Under the Chilean Desert|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=diveqEkTO70C&pg=PA2|year=2012|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|isbn=978-0547691787}}</ref>

===China===
{{main|List of coal mining accidents in China}}

According to one source, in 2003 China accounted for the largest number of coal-mining fatalities, accounting for about 80% of the world's total, although it produced only 35% of the world's coal.<ref name="Xiaohui">[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-11/13/content_391242.htm Coal mining: Most deadly job in China] Zhao Xiaohui & Jiang Xueli, Xinhua News Agency, Updated: 2004-11-13 15:01</ref> Between January 2001 and October 2004, there were 188 accidents that had a death toll of more than 10, about one such accident every 7.4&nbsp;days.<ref name="Xiaohui"/> After the [[2005 Sunjiawan mine disaster]], which killed at least 210 miners, a meeting of the State Council was convened to work on measures to improve work safety in coal mines. The meeting's statement indicated serious problems such as violation of safety standards and overproduction in some coal mines. Three billion yuan (360&nbsp;million US dollars) were dedicated for technological renovation on work safety, gas management in particular, at state-owned major coal mines. The government also promised to send safety supervision teams to 45 coal mines with serious gas problems and invite colliery safety experts to evaluate safety situations in coal mines and formulate prevention measures.<ref>[http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/gyzg/t184576.htm China takes steps to halt coal mine disasters] Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the U.S.A., 02 February 2005</ref>

In 2006, according to the State Work Safety Supervision Administration, 4,749 Chinese coal miners were killed in thousands of blasts, floods, and other accidents. For example, a gas explosion at the [[Nanshan Colliery disaster|Nanshan Colliery]] killed 24 people on November 13, 2006; the mine was operating without any safety license and the [[Xinhua News Agency]] claimed the cause was incorrect usage of explosives. However, the 2006 rate was 20.1% less than 2005 despite an 8.1% increase in production.<ref>[http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PEK206148.htm China sees coal mine deaths fall, but outlook grim] 11 January 2007, Reuters</ref>

The ''[[New York Times]]'' reported that China's lack of a free press, independent trade unions, citizen watchdog groups and other checks of official power has made cover-ups of mining accidents more possible, even in the Internet age. As a result, Chinese bureaucrats habitually hide scandals (such as mine disasters, chemical spills, the 2003 SARS epidemic, and tainted milk powder) for fear of being held accountable by the ruling [[Chinese Communist Party]] or exposing their own illicit deals with companies involved. Under China's authoritarian system, superiors reward subordinates for strict compliance with goals established by authorities, like reducing mine disasters. Indeed, should a mining accident occur, the incentive to hide it is often stronger than the reward for managing it well, as any disaster is almost surely considered a liability.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/11/world/asia/11coal.html | work=The New York Times | title=Graft in China Covers Up Toll of Coal Mines | first=Sharon | last=Lafraniere | date=2009-04-11 | access-date=2010-05-12}}</ref>

In November 2009, [[2009 Heilongjiang mine explosion|a mining accident]] in [[Heilongjiang]] killed at least 104 people. It is thought to have been caused by a [[methane explosion]] followed by a [[coal dust]] [[explosion]]. Three top officials involved with the mining company were promptly dismissed.

On August 30, 2012, an [[Xiaojiawan coal mine disaster|explosion]] killed 45 people at the Xiaojiawan coal mine in Sichuan province.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/aug/30/china-coal-mine-gas-explosion | work=The Guardian | title=China coal mine gas explosion kills 19 miners and traps dozens |  date=2012-08-30 | access-date=2012-09-03 | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/video/2012-09/01/c_131821582.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230181731/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/video/2012-09/01/c_131821582.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 30, 2013 | agency=Xinhuanet | title=Sichuan coal mine blast death toll rises to 43 |  date=2012-09-01 | access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref> A few days later on September 3, 2012, 14 miners were killed at Gaokeng Coal Mine in Jiangxi province.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/14-killed-in-chinese-coal-mine-blast-8101711.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220515/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/14-killed-in-chinese-coal-mine-blast-8101711.html |archive-date=2022-05-15 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | work=The Independent | title=14 killed in Chinese coal mine blast  |  date=2012-09-03 | access-date=2012-09-03 | location=London}}</ref>

On March 29, 2013, a [[2013 Gyama Mine Landslide|landslide]] trapped 83 people in the Gyama Mine in Tibet.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21992525|title= Tibet mine landslide: Rescue workers recover more bodies|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=2014-01-28|date=1 April 2013}}</ref>

On 4 January 2014 The [[Government of China|Chinese Government]] stated that 1,049 people died in the year 2013, down 24 percent from 2012.<ref name="go">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/china-drop-mining-deaths-2013-21420142|title=International News|publisher=ABC News|access-date=2014-01-28}}</ref>

On 22 February 2023, China recorded four deaths and 49 missing cases due to collapse of a pit coal mine in vast Inner Mongolia region's [[Alxa League]]. Nearly 900 rescuers, including a team from [[Ministry of Emergency Management]], were sent to search for people. [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]] [[Xi Jinping]] ordered “all-out efforts in search and rescue” of all people.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/300814993/four-dead-and-49-missing-in-china-mine-collapse|title=Four dead and 49 missing in China mine collapse|accessdate=23 February 2023|website=stuff|date=23 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-64730607|title=Scores missing after large mine collapse in China|accessdate=23 February 2023|website=BBC|date=22 February 2023 }}</ref>

===Ecuador===
About 300 people were killed on May 9, 1993, in the [[Nambija mine disaster]] in Ecuador.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20101017-death-toll-rises-three-ecuador-mining-accident-quito|title=Death toll rises to three in Ecuador mining accident|date=October 17, 2010|website=France 24}}</ref>

On October 15, 2010, shortly after Chile completed [[2010 Copiapó mining accident|its historic, successful rescue of 33 miners who had been stuck underground in the San Jose mine for a record period of nearly 10&nbsp;weeks]], four workers were trapped in an Ecuadoran gold mine following a tunnel collapse. All were confirmed dead by October 20.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/Oct/20/last-of-4-missing-miners-found-dead-in-ecuador/|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|title=The San Diego Union-Tribune – San Diego, California & National News }}</ref>

===France===
{{main category|Mining disasters in France}}
[[File:Courrières 1906 LeJ.jpg|thumb|''[[Le Petit Journal (newspaper)|Le Petit Journal]]'' illustration of the Courrières mine disaster]]

The [[Courrières mine disaster]] was the worst ever pit mine disaster in Europe. It caused the death of 1,099 miners (including many children) in Northern France on 10 March 1906. It seems that this disaster was surpassed only by the [[Benxihu Colliery]] accident in China on April 26, 1942, which killed 1,549 miners. A dust explosion, the cause of which is not known with certainty, devastated a coal mine operated by the Compagnie des mines de houille de Courrières (founded in 1852) between the villages of Méricourt (404 killed), Sallaumines (304 killed), Billy-Montigny (114 killed), and Noyelles-sous-Lens (102 killed) about two kilometres (one mile) to the east of Lens, in the Pas-de-Calais département (about 220&nbsp;km, or 140&nbsp;miles, north of Paris).

A large explosion was heard shortly after 06:30 on the morning of Saturday 10 March 1906. An elevator cage at Shaft 3 was thrown to the surface, damaging pit-head workings; windows and roofs were blown out on the surface at Shaft 4; an elevator cage raised at Shaft 2 contained only dead and unconscious miners.

===India===
*Burra Dhemo Colliery on 26.9.1956
*Central Bhowrah Colliery on 20.2.1958
*Central Saunda Colliery on 16.9.1976
*[[Central Saunda Colliery on 15.06.2005]]
*[[Chasnala mining disaster|Chasnalla Colliery on 27.12.1975]]
*Damua Colliery on 5.1.1960
*Gaslitand Colliery on 26 or 27.9.1995
*Godavarkhani No. 7 LEP on 16.06.2003
*Hurriladih Colliery on 14.9.1983
*Jotejanaki Colliery on 28.6.1913
*Loyabad Colliery on 16.1.1935
*Mahabir Colliery on 13.11.1989
*Majri Colliery on 5.8.1953
*Makerwal Colliery on 6.7.1942
*Newton Chikli Colliery on 10.12.1954
*Phularitand Colliery on 11.07.1912
*[[Rajpura Dariba Mine VRM disaster]] on 28.8.1994
*Silewara Colliery on 18.11.1975<ref>[http://www.novamining.com/knowledgebase/mining-accidents-analysis/inundations/rajpur-dariba-mine-on-28-8-1994/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118163044/http://www.novamining.com/knowledgebase/mining-accidents-analysis/inundations/rajpur-dariba-mine-on-28-8-1994/|date=2016-11-18}}; mining-accidents-analysis, India</ref>

===Japan===
A number of mine disasters occurred from the 1900s to the 1980s in Japan. The following is a list of only large-scale disasters:
* Hokkaido
** New Yubari Coal Mine accident, November 1914, 423 fatalities.
** Hokutan Yubari, 
*** April 1912 accident, 276 fatalities.
*** December 1912 accident, 216 fatalities.
*** December 1938 accident, 161 fatalities.
*** October 1981 accident 93 fatalities.
** South Yubari Coal mine accident, May 1985, 62 fatalities.
** Bibai coal mine
*** March 1941 accident, 177 fatalities.
*** May 1944 accident, 109 fatalities.
* Honshu
** Uchigo coal mine caught fire accident in March 1927, 134 fatalities in [[Iwaki, Fukushima|Iwaki]], [[Fukushima Prefecture]]
** East Mizome coal mine seawater inflow accident in April 1915, 235 fatalities in [[Ube, Yamaguchi|Ube]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]]
** Chosei coal mine submerged cave accident in February 1942, 183 fatalities in Ube.
* Kyushu
** Hōjō coal mine explosion in December 1914, 687 fatalities in [[Miyata, Fukuoka]].
** Hokoku coal mine accidents in [[Itoda]], Fukuoka Prefecture.
*** June 1899 accident, 213 fatalities.
*** July 1907 accident, 365 fatalities.
** Onoura coal mine accidents in [[Miyata, Fukuoka]] Prefecture.
*** November 1909 accident, 243 fatalities.
*** December 1918 accident, 376 fatalities.
*** January 1939 accident, 94 fatalities.
** 1965 Yamano coal mine accident on June in Maka, [[Fukuoka]], 237 fatalities.
** 1906 Takashima coal mine explosion on March, 307 fatalities in [[Nagasaki]]
** 1963 Mikawa coal mine accident on November in [[Fukuoka]], 458 fatalities.

===Netherlands===
The twelve mines in the Netherlands, four of which were [[state ownership|state owned]], were considered among the safest in the world, with only three larger accidents occurring during 70&nbsp;years of mining:
*On 13 July 1928 a [[methane|methane gas]] explosion killed 13 miners in the state-owned mine [[Staatsmijn Hendrik|Hendrik]] in [[Brunssum]].
*On 24 March 1947 13 miners from [[Staatsmijn Hendrik]] were killed in a fire caused by an overheated [[conveyor belt]].
*On 3 March 1958 7 miners lost their lives when a [[cave-in]] occurred at [[Staatsmijn Maurits]] in [[Geleen]].

===New Zealand===
{{main category|Mining disasters in New Zealand}}
The most notable mining accident in New Zealand is the 1896 [[Brunner Mine disaster]], which killed all 65 miners inside. On 19 November 2010, there were four explosions over nine days at [[Pike River mine accident|Pike River mine]]; 29 miners were killed and two escaped with minor injuries.

On 19 January 1967, there was an explosion in the [[Strongman Mine]], near [[Greymouth]], on the [[West Coast, New Zealand|West Coast]]. 19 people were killed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/strongman-mine/|title=Strongman Mine explosion|website=my.christchurchcitylibraries.com}}</ref>

=== Niger ===
A [[Niger gold mine collapse|gold mine collapse]] in [[Maradi Region]] in 2021, killed dozens.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-09 |title=Niger gold mine death toll rises to 32 |url=https://www.theghanareport.com/niger-gold-mine-death-toll-rises-to-32/ |access-date=2021-11-09 |website=The Ghana Report |language=en}}</ref>

===Poland===
{{Main|List of mining disasters in Poland}}
On November 25, 2006, the worst [[2006 Halemba Coal Mine disaster|mining disaster]] occurred in modern Polish history, 23 miners lost their lives at [[Halemba Coal Mine]], a colliery in the town of [[Ruda Śląska]] in the southern industrial province of [[Silesia]]. A methane explosion at a depth of 1,030&nbsp;meters caused the November 21 tragedy. The miners were attempting to retrieve €17&nbsp;million ($US22&nbsp;million) worth of equipment from a tunnel when a blast caused the shaft to collapse. The tunnel was supposed to have been closed in March due to dangerously high methane concentrations, but was kept active because of the value of the equipment left behind.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2006/11/mine-n25.html|title=Polish mining disaster claims 23 lives|website=World Socialist Web Site|date=25 November 2006 }}</ref>

===Russia===
{{main category|Mining disasters in Russia}}

Several major mining accidents have happened in Russia, particularly the [[Ulyanovskaya Mine disaster]] of 2007, which killed at least 106 miners. On January 20, 2013, at least four miners died and four more went missing following an accident at a coal mine in the Kuznetsk Basin, in western Siberia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-21108531|title=Four dead in Russia coal mine accident|publisher=BBC News|date=January 20, 2013}}</ref> In November 2021, the [[Listvyazhnaya mine disaster]] took place in Listvyazhnaya; many people were trapped.

===Spain===
The history of mining in Spain has left a number of major mining accidents with hundreds of victims. The majority of the accidents and casualties have happened in the North of Spain and are particularly related to coal mining, mainly due to the collapse of structures and gas explosions. Though, the worst recorded accident took place in Villanueva del Río, [[Sevilla]], in the Southwest of the country on 28 April 1904, killing 63 people and leaving several more injured.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.es/espana/20131028/abci-accidentes-mineros-espania-201310281648.html|title=Los accidentes mineros más graves de la historia de España|date=October 28, 2013|website=abc}}</ref>

===South Africa===
A number of major mining accidents happened in South Africa including the following accidents:
*57 deaths on 12 September 1944 at [[Hlobane Coal Mine Disaster (1944)|Hlobane Colliery]] near Vryheid, Kwa-Zulu Natal<ref>Hlobane disasters : {{cite web |url=http://www.disa.ukzn.ac.za/webpages/DC/LaMar84.0377.5429.009.005.Mar1984.7/LaMar84.0377.5429.009.005.Mar1984.7.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325205812/http://www.disa.ukzn.ac.za/webpages/DC/LaMar84.0377.5429.009.005.Mar1984.7/LaMar84.0377.5429.009.005.Mar1984.7.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-25 }}</ref>
*437 deaths<ref name="Eskom">{{cite web | url=http://www.eskom.co.za/OurCompany/90YearCelebrations/Pages/Decade_4.aspx | title=The Fourth Decade | access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref> on 21 January 1960 the [[Coalbrook mining disaster]] occurred at Coalbrook North colliery. Coalbrook North colliery was one of the underground collieries of Clydesdale (Transvaal) Collieries Limited and was situated near [[Sasolburg]] in the [[Orange Free State (province)|Orange Free State]] province<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,939600,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008074835/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,939600,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=South Africa Delayed reaction : Time magazine 22 February 1960}}</ref><ref>Eskom annual reports 1959: {{cite web |url=http://heritage.eskom.co.za/heritage/annualreports/1959/disaster.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330162716/http://heritage.eskom.co.za/heritage/annualreports/1959/disaster.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-30 }}</ref>
*177 killed on 16 September 1986 at the [[Kinross mining disaster|Kinross]] gold mine in [[Evander, Mpumalanga]]. 
*104 deaths on 10 May 1995 at [[Vaal Reefs mining disaster|Vaal Reefs]] number two shaft near Orkney, in the North West.
*64 deaths on 12 September 1983 at [[Hlobane Coal Mine Disaster (1983)|Hlobane Colliery]] near [[Vryheid]], [[Kwa-Zulu Natal]]
*53 deaths on 13 May 1993 at Middelbult colliery. Middelbult colliery was and is still one of the underground collieries of [[Sasol Mining]] situated near the town of [[Secunda, Mpumalanga]]

===Taiwan===
The three worst mining accidents in [[Taiwan]] all happened in 1984:
*On June 20, 1984, in {{interlanguage link|Haishan Coal Mine|zh|海山煤礦}} in [[Tucheng District]], a runaway mining cart struck a high voltage transformer and triggered an explosion. 72 miners died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
*On July 10, 1984, 103 miners died in {{interlanguage link|Meishan Coal Mine|zh|台灣煤礦}} in [[Ruifang District]] as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a fire started in the air compressor chamber.
*On December 5, 1984, an explosion occurred at Haishan Coal Mine No. 1 in [[Sanxia District]]. 93 miners died from carbon monoxide poisoning with only one survival who was rescued 93 hours after the initial explosion.

===Tanzania===
At least 56 miners were killed in April 1998 after heavy rains flooded [[tanzanite]] mine shafts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/77864.stm |title=Over 50 dead in Tanzanian mining disaster |newspaper=[[BBC]] |date=April 14, 1998}}</ref> Five people were killed in July 2013 after the [[tanzanite]] quarry they were working in the Mererani mining hills collapsed above their heads. A sixth was admitted to hospital in critical condition.<ref>{{Citation
| url = http://allafrica.com/stories/201307080002.html
| title= Five Killed in Mererani As Mining Pit Collapses
| year = 2013
| publisher = [[AllAfrica.com]]
| location = Africa
}}</ref>

===Turkey===
In March 1983, in the Armutçuk coal mine 103 miners died due to a methane gas explosion.<ref name="armutcuk ref">{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1332020/turkeys-worst-mining-disaster-the-latest-in-a-string-of-deadly-accidents/|title=Turkey's worst mining disaster the latest in a string of deadly accidents|last=Logan|first=Nick|date=14 May 2014|work=GlobalTv|publisher=Shaw Media|access-date=18 May 2014|location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada}}</ref>

In March 1992 at the TCC Kozla mine, 263 miners were killed due to a firedamp explosion<ref name="Germany vs Turkey">{{cite web|url=http://www.posta.com.tr/turkiye/HaberDetay/Almanya-ve-Turkiye-de-maden-iscisi-olumleri.htm?ArticleID=227888|title=Mining Deaths in Germany vs: Turkey|date=14 May 2014|publisher=Istanbul Posta Gazette|language=tr|access-date=18 May 2014|location=Istanbul}}</ref>

In 2008 there was another disaster which resulted in one person losing their life. In November 2013, 300 workers barricaded the Zonguldak mine in order to protest the working conditions.

During the year of 2009, in December killed 19 miners due to a methane gas explosion in [[Bursa Province]].

In 2010, there was a mining disaster in [[Zonguldak Province]] which resulted in the deaths of 30 workers in a coal mine. The explosion was caused by a [[firedamp]] explosion. Previous mining disasters have also occurred here, one in 1992 resulted in the deaths of 270 workers. This was the worst mining disaster until the Soma mine disaster.

In May 2014, in [[Soma, Manisa]] there was a [[Soma mine disaster|major mine collapse]] caused by an explosion. More than 302 workers lost their lives in the collapse and at least 80 workers were injured.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27415822 | title=Turkish mine disaster: Unions calls protest strike| work=BBC | date=15 May 2014 | access-date=15 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/05/anger-turkey-over-deadly-mine-disaster-2014514171636488610.html|title=Thousands strike over Turkish mine disaster|access-date=16 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-mine-minister-idUSBREA4F04A20140516|title=Death toll in Turkish mine disaster unlikely to exceed 302: minister|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=16 August 2015|date=2014-05-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/17/world/europe/turkish-authorities-say-miners-still-missing.html | title=Public's Outrage over Mine Disaster Casts Harsh Light on Turkey's Premier| work=The New York Times| date=2014-05-16| last1=Arango| first1=Tim| last2=Fahim| first2=Kareem| last3=Arsu| first3=Sebnem}}</ref>

In October 2022, at least 41 were killed in the [[2022 Turkish Mine Explosion]] in [[Bartın]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-10-14 |title=Turkish mine explosion kills 41 and leaves dozens trapped |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63261746 |first1=Merlyn |last1=Thomas |first2=Elsa |last2=Maishman}}</ref>

In recent years, the Turkish coal mining industry has had the highest number of fatal accidents per million tons of coal produced.  When using the "deaths per million tons of coal production" measure, on any given day, a Turkish coal miner is 360 times more likely to be killed in a Turkish mine than an American coal miner is in an American mine, and 5 times more likely to die from the lax [[mine safety]] standards of the Turkish mines than even a Chinese coal miner, whose country places with a distant second in terms of safety related deaths per million tons of coal produced.<ref name="turkish mining safety record">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/68370|title=Turkey: Mine Tragedy Shines Light on Workplace Safety Concerns|last=Schleifer|first=Yigal|date=14 May 2014|work=The Turko-File|publisher=EurasiaNet|access-date=18 May 2014|location=New York}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===

====England====
In England, [[The Oaks explosion]] remains the worst mining accident, claiming 388 lives on 12–13 December 1866 near [[Barnsley]] in [[Yorkshire]] although in the first and main explosion only 340 died, fewer than at the Hulton colliery, but subsequent explosions claimed other lives during the night and the following day.
[[Pretoria Pit Disaster|The Hulton Colliery]] explosion at [[Westhoughton]], [[Lancashire]], in 1910 claimed the lives of 344 miners.<ref name="bolton">{{cite web|url=http://www.bolton.org.uk/pretoriapit.html|title=Pretoria Pit Disaster|publisher=bolton.org.uk|access-date=2014-01-28}}</ref>
An explosion in 1878, at the Wood Pit, [[Haydock]], [[Lancashire]], killed over 200 workers, although only 189 were included in the 'official list'.<ref name="genuki">{{cite web|url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Haydock/WoodPitExplosion.html|title=GENUKI: Haydock, Lancashire genealogy|publisher=genuki.org.uk|access-date=2014-01-28}}</ref> Another disaster that killed many miners was the [[Hartley Colliery Disaster]], which occurred in January 1862 when the beam of the pumping engine broke suddenly and fell into the single shaft serving the pit. The beam blocked the shaft and entombed hundreds of miners. The final death toll was 204, most of whom were suffocated by the lack of [[oxygen]].

In the [[wikt:metalliferous|metalliferous]] mines of Cornwall, some of the worst accidents were at [[East Wheal Rose]] in 1846, where 39 workers were killed by a sudden flood; at [[Levant mine]] in 1919, where 31 were killed and many injured in a failure of the [[man engine]]; 12 killed at [[Wheal Agar]] in 1883 when a cage fell down a shaft and seven killed at [[Dolcoath mine]] in 1893 when a large [[stoping (mining method)|stull]] collapsed.<ref>{{cite book|last=Corin|first=John|title=Levant, A Champion Cornish Mine|publisher=The [[Trevithick Society]]|year=1992|pages=40–44|isbn=0-904040-37-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Vivian|first=John|title=Tales of the Cornish Miners|publisher=H. E. Warne Ltd|location=St. Austell|year=1970|pages=22–24|chapter=The Wheal Agar Skip Disaster}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Vivian|first=John|title=Tales of the Cornish Miners|publisher=H. E. Warne Ltd|location=St. Austell|year=1970|pages=38–40|chapter=When the Bottom of Dolcoath Fell In}}</ref>

====Scotland====
The worst mining accident in [[Scotland]] is the 1877 [[Blantyre mining disaster]] in [[Blantyre, South Lanarkshire|Blantyre]], [[Lanarkshire]], which claimed 207 lives. Other fatal incidents occurred in the town in 1878 and 1879.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationalminingmuseum.com/news/blantyre-mining-disaster/|title=Blantyre Mining Disaster|publisher=[[National Mining Museum Scotland]]|access-date=15 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416044603/http://nationalminingmuseum.com/news/blantyre-mining-disaster/|archive-date=16 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Another serious incident occurred in the small [[Ayrshire]] mining village of [[Knockshinnoch Disaster|Knockshinnoch]] in September 1950. For several tense days rescuers battled bravely against all odds to reach the 129 men trapped deep underground when a field above where they were working caved-in, flooding the mine workings with thick liquid peat, cutting off all means of escape. 116 were rescued but 13 died.<ref name="infomine">{{cite web|url=http://www.infomine.com/library/videos/2250c0/knockshinnoch_colliery_disaster,_scotland,_1950.aspx|title=Knockshinnoch Colliery Disaster, Scotland, 1950 &#124; Mining.com Video|publisher=infomine.com|access-date=2014-04-03}}</ref> A film, ''[[The Brave Don't Cry]]'', was made about the disaster in 1952.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/27561|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114063558/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/27561|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 January 2009|title=The Brave Don't Cry (1952) |work=BFI|access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref>

The worst Scottish mining disaster in the 20th century took place at Auchengeich by [[Moodiesburn]] in September 1959, with 47 men killed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Welcome home – iconic miner returned to rightful place at Auchengeich|url=http://www.monklands.co.uk/auchengeich/statuereturn.htm|publisher=Kirkintilloch Herald |date=9 June 2010|via=Monklands Memories|access-date=18 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225210019/http://www.monklands.co.uk/auchengeich/statuereturn.htm|archive-date=25 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The total surpassed the 40 who had [[Redding mining disaster|died in flooding]] at [[Redding, Falkirk]] in September 1923.<ref>[https://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/2020/06/18/throwback-thursday-fundraising-1923-style/ Throwback Thursday: Fundraising – 1923 Style], Falkirk FC, 18 June 2020</ref>

====Wales====
[[File:Senghenydd Colliery Disaster.jpg|thumb|Crowd gathering at the [[headframe|pit head]] of the Senghenydd Colliery after the explosion in October 1913]]

During the period 1850 to 1930 the [[South Wales coalfield]] had the worst disaster record.{{Clarify|reason=Unclear what is being compared. Worst: in its history, in the UK, In the world, ...?|date=May 2020}} This was due to the increasing number of mines being sunk to greater depths into gas-containing strata, combined with poor safety and management practices. As a result, there were nearly forty underground explosions in the [[Glamorgan]] and [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]] areas of the coalfield during this time. Each accident resulted in the deaths of twenty or more workers – either directly in the explosion or by suffocation by the poisonous gases formed. The total death toll from these disasters was 3,119 people.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The four worst accidents in Wales were:

*439 deaths at the [[Senghenydd Colliery Disaster]] at [[Universal Colliery]] in [[Senghenydd]], Glamorgan, in a gas explosion in 1913.
*290 deaths at the [[Albion Colliery]] in [[Cilfynydd]], Glamorgan, in a gas explosion on 25 June 1894.
*272 deaths at the [[Abercarn colliery disaster|Prince of Wales Colliery]], [[Abercarn]], Monmouthshire, in an explosion of 11 September 1878.<ref>[http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/Gwent/Abercarn.htm Abercarn Colliery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114064228/http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/Gwent/Abercarn.htm |date=2012-11-14 }} at welshcoalmines.co.uk</ref>
*266 deaths in the [[Gresford Disaster]] near [[Wrexham]] in [[North Wales]] on 22 September 1934.

Some collieries, e.g. [[Morfa Colliery]],<ref name="welshcoalmines">{{cite web|url=http://www.welshcoalmines.co.uk/GlamWest/Morfa.htm|title=Morfa Colliery Port Talbot|publisher=welshcoalmines.co.uk|access-date=2014-01-28}}</ref> near [[Port Talbot]], [[Glamorgan]], and [[Black Vein Colliery]], [[Risca]], [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]], suffered three disasters before they were closed for being unsafe.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

===United States===
{{main category|Mining disasters in the United States}}
The  [[Scofield Mine disaster]] occurred on May 1, 1900, near [[Scofield, Utah]]. At least 200 men died making it the worst mining disaster in the United States at that point.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Most Appalling Mine Horror! |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=13460564 |work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=1900-05-02 |access-date=2022-10-18}}</ref>

The [[Fraterville mine disaster]] occurred on May 19, 1902, killing 216 miners making it one of the worst in American history. Fraterville is located in western Anderson County, Tennessee. Also in the same year on July 10, 1902, the [[Rolling Mill Mine Disaster]] happened in Johnstown, Pa. It killed 112, many of whom had just arrived in town. At the time it was one of the region's most productive mines.

The [[Monongah Mining Disaster]] was the worst mining accident of American history; 362 workers were killed in an underground explosion on December 6, 1907, in [[Monongah]], [[West Virginia]].

The Marianna Mine Disaster occurred on November 28, 1908, in a coal mine near [[Marianna, Pennsylvania]] resulting in the death of 154 men from the explosion. The explosion occurred during shift change, as men entered the mine before the previous shift had left. Consequently, the mine contained many more miners than usual. Another accident occurred in the same mine on September 23, 1957, when an explosion killed 6 of 11 men in the mine.<ref name="marianna"/>

The [[Cross Mountain Mine disaster]] occurred on December 9, 1911, near the community of [[Briceville, Tennessee]], killing 84 miners.

The First Dawson Disaster was a mining accident on October 22, 1913, in [[Dawson, New Mexico]] in which 263 men died (146 were Italian and 36 were Greek).

The Second Dawson Disasters was a mining accident on February 8, 1923, in Dawson, New Mexico in which 123 men died.

The [[Speculator Mine disaster|Speculator Mine Disaster]] occurred in the copper mines of [[Butte, Montana]] on June 8, 1917. An electric cable being lowered into the mine was accidentally ignited at 2,500 feet below the surface. The fire quickly climbed the cable, in turn igniting the shaft. The shaft thus became a chimney, eliminating the mine's primary source of oxygen. Nearly all of the 168 fatalities were due to asphyxia. It remains the deadliest underground hard rock mining event in American history.

The [[Hastings mine explosion]] was a fire at the Victor-American Fuel Company coal mine in Hastings, Las Animas Country, Colorado, On April 27, 1917, in which 121 people died.

The Cherry Mine disaster was a fire in the [[Cherry, Illinois]], [[coal mine]] in 1909, and surrounding events, in which 259 men and boys died.

The [[Millfield Mine Disaster]] 1930 in Ohio killed 82 men.

From 1880 to 1910, mine accidents claimed thousands of fatalities. Where annual mining deaths had numbered more than 1,000 a year during the early part of the 20th century, they decreased to an average of about 500 during the late 1950s, and to 93 during the 1990s.<ref>[http://www.msha.gov/MSHAINFO/FactSheets/MSHAFCT8.HTM Historical Data on Mine Disasters in the United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210095305/http://www.msha.gov/MSHAINFO/FactSheets/MSHAFCT8.HTM |date=2016-02-10 }} U.S. Department of Labor</ref> In addition to deaths, many thousands more are injured (an average of 21,351 injuries per year between 1991 and 1999), but overall there has been a downward trend of deaths and injuries.

In 1959, the [[Knox Mine Disaster]] occurred in [[Port Griffith, Pennsylvania]]. The swelling [[Susquehanna River]] collapsed into a mine under it and resulted in 12 deaths. In [[Plymouth, Pennsylvania]], the [[Avondale Mine Disaster]] of 1869 resulted in the deaths of 108 miners and two rescue workers after a fire in the only shaft eliminated the oxygen in the mine. Federal laws for mining safety resulted from this disaster. Pennsylvania suffered another disaster in 2002 at [[Quecreek Mine Rescue|Quecreek]], 9 miners were trapped underground and subsequently rescued after 78&nbsp;hours. During 2006, 72 miners died at work, 47 by coal mining. The majority of these fatalities occurred in [[Kentucky]] and [[West Virginia]], including the [[Sago Mine Disaster]].<ref>[http://www.msha.gov/stats/charts/allstatesnew.asp All Mining Fatalities By State] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418180957/http://www.msha.gov/stats/charts/allstatesnew.asp |date=2007-04-18 }} U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 15 January 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.msha.gov/stats/charts/coalbystate.asp Coal Fatalities By State] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221005053/http://www.msha.gov/stats/charts/coalbystate.asp |date=2007-02-21 }} U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 15 January 2007</ref>  On April 5, 2010, in the [[Upper Big Branch Mine disaster]] an underground explosion caused the deaths of 29 miners.

The [[U.S. Bureau of Mines]] was created in 1910 to investigate accidents, advise industry, conduct production and safety research, and teach courses in accident prevention, first aid, and [[mine rescue]]. The [[Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act]]s of 1969 and 1977 set further safety standards for the mining. Since the closure of the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1996, this research function has been carried on by the [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] (NIOSH). NIOSH maintains a list of mine disasters which occurred in the United States since 1839.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/content/allminingdisasters.html|title=All Mining Disasters: 1839 to Present|website=www.cdc.gov|access-date=2019-11-08}}</ref>

===Venezuela===
{{main|Bulla Loca mine disaster}}
On 21 February 2024, fourteen people were killed and eleven injured following the collapse of an illegal [[Mining|gold mine]] in [[Angostura Municipality, Bolívar]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-21 |title=At least 14 confirmed dead after an illegal open-pit gold mine collapses in Venezuela |url=https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-illegal-mine-collapse-31d40848d930906d1f592117058e71b7 |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers. Nicholas Wood Memorial Library [https://mininginstitute.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mining-accidents-and-safety-Jan16.pdf "Mining accidents and safety: a guide to resources"]. 2016. A guide to books, journals, inspectors' reports, government enquiries, legislation, archival material, etc. in the Institute Library relating to accidents and safety in the UK.
*For more details of mining disasters in the UK see The Coalmining History Research Centre at [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103832/http://www.cmhrc.co.uk/site/database/result/39418.html 1842 Royal Commission Reports – Raleys – Maps, Poems and Sm]

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130417072522/http://www.msha.gov/mshainfo/factsheets/mshafct2.htm MSHA Fact Sheets – Injury Trends in Mining]
*[https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/minedisasters.html CDC – Mining – Historical Mine Disasters]
*[http://www.mining-technology.com/features/featureworld-worst-mining-disasters/ Worst mining disasters]

{{Disasters|state=expanded}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:History of mining]]
[[Category:Mining disasters| ]]
[[Category:Mine safety|Accident]]