Low productivity in American coal mining: causes and cures

Technical Report · Tue Mar 03 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6182972

Staats, E B

This report identifies the factors responsible for depressed productivity in the US coal mining industry. GAO analysis revealed that the fall in underground mining productivity since 1969 is closely tied to poor labor-management relations, 1974 union contract requirements, and federal mine safety and health regulation. State reclamation laws and the opening of new surface mines lowered productivity in surface mining. Coal mining technology has not advanced sufficiently to offset the loss due to these causes. Federal and state regulations have been successful in reducing both fatalities and the environmental costs of coal mining. Thus far, lower productivity is a price the nation has paid for imposed health, safety, and environmental regulations. Industry and public officials must find ways to offset the effects of regulation on productivity without compromising safety or environmental quality. GAO recommends increased federal efforts to promote the development and greater use of safe, productivity technologies, and improved labor management relations. Because of the importance of higher productivity, GAO plans to send the report to knowledgeable individuals to solicit their views on the report's conclusions, and to request suggestions on how they might be implemented. If appropriate, GAO will submit further recommendations in a subsequent report.

• Research Organization: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6182972
• Report Number(s): EMD-81-17; ON: DE81903690
• 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
COAL MINES
COAL MINING
CONSTRAINTS
EVALUATION
LABOR RELATIONS
LAND RECLAMATION
LAWS
MINES
MINING
MINING LAWS
NORTH AMERICA
PRODUCTIVITY
REGULATIONS
SURFACE MINING
UNDERGROUND MINING
USA