Davitt McAteer Quotes (11 Quotes)

Does it provide perfect, two-way communications The answer is no. But the perfect should not be the enemy of the good. These need to be put into the mines.

But China lacks an inspection force that can come in and shut down operations when the conditions demand it. They'll say they close lots (of unsafe mines), but they're not really serious.

There has been no place for families in investigations of mining accidents, and that day is over.

Ordinarily, violations occur on a regular basis. On any inspection, you'll find some. This is not a very huge mine. As the numbers grow in volume, it's something management has to address.

Any time we had problems, they wanted to jump on it and fix it.

Time is our enemy again the lack of communication and the lack of the ability to know where the location is are the two strongest factors that give us concern.

In the U. S., the average depth is 800 feet. At 800 feet, you have good solid substantial covering.

This isn't an easy accident to dissect. I don't think anybody has the answer yet.

Several of the miners' families asked for a postponement until the federal and state investigative teams have developed more information. After consultation with investigators and state legislators, I concurred. It's a complex investigation and, as the miners' families have said, it's more important to determine the facts carefully and thoroughly than to act before all the facts are in.

Historically, investigations of mine disasters in the United States have never involved the families of the victims. That era ends today.

They have suggested that they have an answer. We'd like to know what their answer is and what they base it on.