Cyprus-Forum.com

[Tim Drayton]

The Turkish mineworkers union has produced figures for the Zonguldak coal field showing that the death rate per amount of coal produced is 244 times higher in private mines than in state mines. In 2013, ten workers lost their lives in the private sector to extract 140,000 tonnes of coal as against the eleven workers who died in the state sector to extract 3,200,000 tonnes.

It is notable that Alp Gürkan, owner of the private mine in Soma where the disaster occurred, had previously boasted that they had reduced operating costs from 130-140 dollars to 23.8 dollars (per tonne?).

The cause of these deaths was neo-liberalism.

http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/turk ... dustu.html

[GreekIslandGirl]

When I first heard about this disaster, they were talking of numbers in the several hundreds because it happened during a shift change and there were double the usual numbers. Now it seems they are downplaying the numbers and the worry is that it would be so easy to leave so many people buried and silence questions about those unaccounted for.

One miner said: 'This is disgraceful, an incredible lie. They are trying to cover up the exact numbers of the accident.'

The final death toll from Turkey's mine disaster will likely be around 300, government officials have said, though furious locals say the authorities are covering up far greater loss of life.

According to the latest official numbers, the number killed in Monday's explosion and fire at the mine in western Turkey stands at 284. The energy minister, Taner Yildiz, said on Friday that 18 miners were still missing.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/m ... l-disputed

[kurupetos]

As Erdogan said, mining accidents happen all the time. Especially in 3rd world countries, like Turkey...

[repulsewarrior]

...the question of nuclear energy comes to mind:

http://nuclear-news.net/2014/05/15/turkey-coal-mining-and-nuclear-power-corporate-corruption-threatens-society-and-environment-but-brings-big-corporations-together/

The price of coal had dropped drastically as wages were cut by using cheap unskilled labour and other cost cutting procedures.
This cost cutting can also be seen in the uranium industry, where the spot price for uranium is a mere (estimated) $20.22/lb (excluding tax and royalty), measured against the Australian spot price of US$34.50 / lb (A price that might cause Palladin mining to possibly go into liquidation as they have to produce their ore using more environmentaly secure practises. The real cost of safe extraction is $144 / lb).

It would be bad enough if Turkeys lax safety procedures (in the name of profit) were just limited to mining coal and uranium. However Turkey is now in the planning process to build eight reactors at two different sites in conjunction with French, Japanese Chinese and Russian consortiums.

...and other issues globally, which demonstrate the safety records of each of the players mentioned.

[Oceanside50]

good point RW, the price of coal has been dropping recently due to the world switching to natural gas energy. The usa's excess coal has been bought by Eu countries that still use coal generated energy. Watch for more of these accidents as cost cutting takes effect throughout the 3rd world.

[kurupetos]

good point RW, the price of coal has been dropping recently due to the world switching to natural gas energy. The usa's excess coal has been bought by Eu countries that still use coal generated energy. Watch for more of these accidents as cost cutting takes effect throughout the 3rd world.

EU will transform to 100% renewable energy by 2050. Huge amounts on R&D are being spent to achieve that... and it has nothing to do with cheap production of electricity.

[Oceanside50]

prove it

[kurupetos]

prove it

Use Google >> Horizon 2020

[Tim Drayton]

Advisor to Turkish Premier Erdogan paying his respects to the people of Soma...



This photograph is being widely circulated on social media throughout the world. It shows the advisor of Turkish PM Erdogan & Deputy Chief of the Cabinet, Yusuf Yerkel, kicking a protestor in Soma after the mine disaster.

Yusuf Yerkel has obtained a seven-day doctor's report due to injury in his right knee (presumably as a result of delivering that kick)! Unbelievable but true.

http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/turk ... almis.html

[Tim Drayton]

They have started to prosecute five technical staff members at the mine on the allegation that they are criminally responsible for the accident. I can't help feeling that they are being used as scapegoats.