Comparative Analysis of Compliance with Mine Ventilation Standards by U.S. Longwall Underground Coal Mines

Because of the Upper Big Branch-South disaster in 2010, this paper examines the mine ventilation-standard compliance performance of all US longwall underground coal mines. Using the new Mine Ventilation Safe Performance Index (MV-SPI), analysis revealed that the best-performing mines had very low elevated-citation rates; 25% of the 40 mines had no closure orders. Results indicate that attaining a high level of compliance with ventilation standards is feasible for large longwall mines. The MV-SPI could be used by mine operators, enforcement agencies, and safety professionals to determine the comparative performance of mines in complying with ventilation standards and to benchmark performances. © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd