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NEWS BRIEFS
Few W.Va. mines have added communication devices
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A U.S. regulatory count has found that 16 percent of West Virginia's underground coal mines have added improved communications and tracking devices four years after the Sago mine disaster.
The report released by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health relates to equipment that could help miners escape an explosion or fire. The improved communications devices and tracking gear were required by Congress after Sago and other mining accidents in 2006.
Nationwide, 415 active underground mines are required to have the equipment. But according to the Mine Safety count, only 34 have such equipment installed and fully operational.
In West Virginia, 121 mines do not have the advanced communications and tracking. Twenty-three mines have complied.
