Low Productivity in American Coal Mining: Causes and Cures
Highlights
In order to reduce the Nations's reliance on imported oil, national energy policy calls for greater use of coal. The Nation's ability to make this transition to coal depends on the coal industry's ability to meet future coal production needs. Given the importance which labor productivity plays in the quantity of coal produced, productivity is crucial to meeting national energy goals. Between 1947 and 1969, the coal industry experienced a threefold increase in productivity. However, since 1969, overall coal industry productivity has declined 26 percent with a 43-percent decline in underground mine production. GAO evaluated the major factors determining productivity in the coal industry and identified those mainly responsible for the decline in labor productivity. The review is based on an analysis of a large coal mine database, interviews with mining personnel at 44 mines, and discussions with Government and private officials.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
Matter | Status | Comments |
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Congress should increase the required minimum amount of on-the-job safety training for supervisors and miners. | Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information. | |
Congress should authorize the Department of Labor to fund coal industry programs to train coal management and labor in effective communication and grievance handling. | Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
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Department of the Interior | The Bureau of Mines should ensure that its products are adequately tested in working coal mines to establish and demonstrate their benefits. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
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Department of Labor | MSHA should devise ways to minimize the regulatory lag which now delays introduction of productivity enhancing equipment that does not impair mine safety. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
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Department of Labor | The Secretary of Labor should direct MSHA to analyze the impact on industry of increasing training requirements and provide further assistance if warranted. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
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Department of Energy | The Secretary of Energy should direct the Office of Coal Mining to increase efforts in those areas which have high potential for productivity gains. Those projects that should receive special attention are the ones which reduce MSHA regulation's adverse productivity impacts, improve longwall mining techniques, and improve face haulage. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
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