Coal companies reject state safety inspections

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah coal companies say reviving a state-run mine inspection program would be a waste of tax dollars and wouldn't improve mine safety.

Mining company officials met with the Utah Mine Safety Commission yesterday at the state capitol.

Gov. Jon Huntsman formed the commission to study safety issues following the Aug. 6 mine collapse at the Crandall Canyon mine near Huntington that left six dead. Three rescue workers were killed in a second collapse.

The commission is expected to make safety recommendations to the Utah lawmakers before the start of the 2008 legislative session Jan. 21.

Utah had an inspection program until the mid-1980s, but it was phased out to save money.

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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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