Big Coal Companies Still Shroud Miner Deaths

Shanxi Coal Mine Cover-Up

The age of modern coal mining has dawned in Shanxi Province, a crucial domestic energy source, the provincial governor declared at a recent trade summit.

Wang Jun ticked off accomplishments of a consolidation movement under way in his province since 2008: Small, dangerous and inefficient mines have been absorbed by state-owned enterprises. Shanxi's coal output has grown dramatically to about 900,000 tons annually. And workplace safety has significantly improved.

Officially overlooked, however, were cover-ups of several tragic deaths in coal pits controlled by newly consolidated mining companies.