Mine-safety panel hears guv's ideas

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. told the Utah Mine Safety Commission Tuesday that a lack of adequate communications technology was a frustrating obstacle during rescue efforts at the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse.

At the request of commission Chairman Scott Matheson Jr., the governor spoke to the blue-ribbon panel that he appointed to study mine safety in Utah after August's Crandall Canyon Mine tragedy in Emery County. Six miners were trapped in the accident, and their bodies were never recovered. Three rescuers died in a cave-in days later trying to reach them.

Huntsman offered his ideas on what can be done to prevent future tragedies and how to respond in the event of a similar emergency.

He talked about the difficulties faced by rescue and emergency personnel at the site of the mine disaster.

"In hindsight, above-ground communication was a challenge," Huntsman said. "Cell phone, satellite phones were practically no good until a portable Verizon cell tower arrived on scene."

Communication underground was equally frustrating, he said.

"I couldn't help but think there was a space shuttle that was circling the Earth and an astronaut who was repairing the space shuttle outside of the shuttle while in space, and we were dealing with this tragedy 1,800 feet below the ground without the ability to communicate."

Huntsman noted the importance of accessing or developing technology that would make communication in and around mines possible.

The governor also talked about defining the responsibilities of emergency responders.

"We need better clarification of what the proper roles should be for each organization in this kind of rescue effort," Huntsman said.

The governor asked the commission to consider how the state might best serve the mining community.

"Should (the state) assume a more active role as it relates to safety?" he asked. "I think we need a clearly defined organizational outline that details what the state does, what (the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration) does and what the private company does at the outset and during the duration of the incident."

The commission is reviewing all aspects of the state's role, including mine safety, accident prevention and accident response, and will make recommendations to the governor.

Preceding the governor's remarks, the panel heard from University of Utah mining engineering professor Kim McCarter who is heading up the recently formed Technical Advisory Group. The 29-member subcommittee is charged with helping the mine safety commission develop strategies and suggestions to improve mine safety and emergency response.

"The committee can help identify emerging technology that might be applicable to Utah's underground coal mines," he said.