I think that the question of the existence of the chamber that provided oxygen, food and protection is fundamentally important in any kind of a mine.

Time is our enemy again the lack of communication and the lack of the ability to know where the location is are the two strongest factors that give us concern.

Several of the miners’ families asked for a postponement until the federal and state investigative teams have developed more information. After consultation with investigators and state legislators, I concurred. It’s a complex investigation and, as...

In the U.S., the average depth is 800 feet. At 800 feet, you have good solid substantial covering.

They have suggested that they have an answer. We’d like to know what their answer is and what they base it on.

Ordinarily, violations occur on a regular basis. On any inspection, you’ll find some. This is not a very huge mine. As the numbers grow in volume, it’s something management has to address.

Any time we had problems, they wanted to jump on it and fix it.

These devices have proved to be reliable.

The families ought to be involved. If we have families that are involved in mine safety, the mines will be safer.

There has been no place for families in investigations of mining accidents, and that day is over.

Historically, investigations of mine disasters in the United States have never involved the families of the victims. That era ends today.

To deal with the problem, it takes manpower and constraints on the production track.

Does it provide perfect, two-way communications? The answer is no. But the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. These need to be put into the mines.

It really looks like a textbook recovery to me.

This isn’t an easy accident to dissect. I don’t think anybody has the answer yet.

But China lacks an inspection force that can come in and shut down operations when the conditions demand it. They’ll say they close lots (of unsafe mines), but they’re not really serious.