The State Specialized Inspection Agency has found that fatalities from mining accidents have been increasing every year. Altogether 1,223 industrial accidents were registered between 2008 and 2010, killing or injuring 1,479 people. The mining sector accounted for 302 of these accidents and for 83 or 80% of the deaths.

The Agency also says working conditions in mines are getting worse and posing more long-term dangers to miners’ safety and health, making them especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases.