Russia to Improve Coal Mining Safety

9 March 2011 (Last Updated March 9th, 2011 18:30)

Russian coal mining firms need to allocate one-third of their combined profits from last year to increase their safety spending, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko has said. The ministry has ordered all coal mining firms to spend RUB24bn ($850m) on safety measures over the next t

Russian coal mining firms need to allocate one-third of their combined profits from last year to increase their safety spending, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko has said.

The ministry has ordered all coal mining firms to spend RUB24bn ($850m) on safety measures over the next two years, reports The Moscow Times.

In 2010, 135 miners died in 22 accidents, including the Raspadskaya tragedy in May, thee incident that prompted the nationwide tightening of the industry's safety rules.

Ten miners have been killed in shafts in 2011 so far.

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