<DrumBeat: March 13, 2007The Oil DrumDrumBeat: March 14, 2007>

87 comments on So will it be the Emperor Coal?

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phineas gage on March 13, 2007 - 1:43pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I have to take issue with your description of US coal mining as being under the direction of laws that "significantly improve mine working conditions"

Depends on how far back you look. In the late 1800's/ early 1900's the US averaged a few thousand coal mining deaths per year, about 100 to 1000x higher than today.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4822a1.htm

And mining is no longer in the top ten most dangerous occupations:

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/invest/extra/P63405.asp

Nevertheless, I wouldn't want the job of coal miner.

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b3NDZ3La on March 13, 2007 - 5:44pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

This issue of "Devon's Paradox" and using up benefits of technology is beautifully (and tragically) illustrated by the history of the Davy Lantern.

The introduction of the Davy lamp actually led to an increase in accidents in mines as the availability of the lamp encouraged the working of mines that had previously been closed for safety reasons

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jimvj on March 14, 2007 - 12:19am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Jevon's Paradox ??

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b3NDZ3La on March 14, 2007 - 6:21am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Ha! Thanks. I confused it with my DEVON cow!

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