Now that Sago Mine is in the limelight (for unfortunate reasons), does anyone understand the mechanics of how it operated? There were tracks leading down the drift but I read they used continuous miners. So then why tracks? Transportation of men only it seems... Anyone have any ideas?

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"If you thought old, abandoned mines were only in the west, then you haven't been to IronMiners.com!"

I don't know, but after seeing all the conveyor lines around the breaker on CNN, I'd say they had conveyors that went underground in different spots and hit the workings. Then they'd throw the coal on the continuously running conveyers, and off it went to the colliery.

Just a guess..............

Banks

Been thinking about this one as well, but wouldn't it have been possible to follow a coal conveyer to safety out of the mine? Not knowing much about the layout of this mine, I would have expected other options for these mines to gain safety. I also thought that there were laws requiring a certain amount of exit points.

Aye, good point, Greg. hmmm.....

as for exit requirements, i guess WV and PA laws differ..... in PA there has to be more than one exit..... I'm not sure but I imagine the number of exits is related to the size of the mine. Tony can probably back this up ...............WV it seems to be that these laws aren't in place (stupid, i know)
I think the PA laws concerning second openings were put into place after the Avondale mine disaster. There was a fire in the main (and only) entrance to the mine... which was a shaft.

later
Banks