Although a seemingly minor incident, the escape by miners from a mine in Ballerat (Australia) this morning (3.30 am local time - Nov 19th) drew critical comment from the local union organiser.

The mining rescue brought back memories of recent major rescues at Crandall Canyon Mine , USA and Beaconsfield , Australia mine sites.

Safety is always a major concern to miners and the mining industry in Western Australia has recently hailed the safety practices at the Kanowna Belle gold mine near Kalgoorlie after 54 workers trapped underground were rescued.

A truck caught fire in the shaft of the mine.  The fire was quickly put out but the area filled with smoke but workers then followed practiced safety procedures and shut themselves in specially designed refuges.

Unfortunately a recent incident in a Chinese mine did not have a similar outcome and experts slammed safety procedures at the mine