Coal mine labor productivity: review of issues and evidence

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5721068· OSTI ID:5721068

Baker, J G; Gaston, R J

Productivity in bituminous coal and lignite mining has declined substantially during the 1970s. This decline has implications on coal industry labor demand, production cost, and worker health and safety. This report reviews existing research that has attempted to explain the productivity decline. The research results reported here indicate that deep mine productivity has been reduced by the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, work stoppages, and the 1974 National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement. In addition, there is strong evidence that manpower shortages have affected productivity. Surface mine productivity has declined because of a reduction in average mine size and state reclamation laws. Future research directions are discussed.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc., TN (USA). Manpower Development Div.
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-05-0033
• OSTI ID: 5721068
• Report Number(s): ORAU-155
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
012000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Mining
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COAL INDUSTRY
COAL MINERS
COAL MINING
COST
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRY
LABOR RELATIONS
LAND RECLAMATION
LEGISLATION
MINERS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PERSONNEL
PRODUCTIVITY
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA