Fourteen of those deaths were in metal and non-metal mining. The other eight were coal miners.

In the second quarter of 2014 alone there were 14 deaths – nine in metal/non-metal and five in coal.

According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration there were a high number of what it considered to be preventable deaths in the first half. There were seven machinery accidents and five powered haulage accidents.

Four of those killed were contractors and five were supervisors.

In the coal sector, four miners were killed in machinery accidents.

These were a 24year-old continuous miner operator, a 41-year-old mechanic trainee, a 25-year-old roof bolter operator and a 25-year-old contract equipment operator.

Two coal miners were killed in powered haulage accidents: a 20 year old general inside labourer and a 58 year old truck driver.

Two miners were killed in a fall of rib – or coal outburst – accident. They were a 48-year-old continuous mining machine operator and a 46-year-old mobile roof support operator/roof bolter.

According to MSHA assistant secretary Joe Main, these deaths were a reminder that more needed to be done to protect the nation’s miners.

“MSHA is providing information and best practices to prevent them to the mining industry,” he said.

“Conducting workplace examinations both prior to and during a shift – every shift – can prevent deaths by finding and fixing safety and health hazards.

“Workplace examination must be performed and problems identified and resolved to protect workers.

“Effective training will ensure that miners recognise and understand hazards and how to control or eliminate them.

“Mines need to have effective safety and health management programs in place that are constantly evaluated and implemented.”