Recent Mine Deaths Have Safety Officials Talking

ELKO, Nev. (AP) — Federal mine safety officials are gathering near the nation's capital to discuss a recent increase in fatal accidents at U.S. mines. The Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration called Monday's meeting at MSHA Headquarters in Arlington, Va. Nine fatalities have been reported at metal and non-metal mines in the U.S. since the beginning of the year. Of the 22 deaths reported in 2013, nine occurred in the last three months of the year. Assistant Labor Secretary Joseph Main says they plan to engage a variety of tools to respond to the trend, including enforcement, education and training, and technical support. The most recent death in Nevada was last month at the underground Midas gold mine about 90 miles northwest of Elko.