Review of Major Influencing Factors Contributing to Persisting Safety Problems in Coal Mines: Addressing Systemic Challenges

Abstract

The coal mining industry in Pakistan faces recurring fatal accidents due to data scarcity, lack of research, and technology adoption. This paper reviews the current status of coal mining, the ongoing energy crisis, the utilization of indigenous coal resources, and the prevailing safety challenges. By comparing coal mining safety standards in Pakistan with global benchmarks, this study proposes advanced mining technologies to improve productivity and safety. This study emphasizes the importance of investigating the underlying factors causing mining accidents in order to devise effective strategies to mitigate them. The lack of relevant data and the reluctance to adopt technology in the industry are identified as major obstacles to improving safety conditions. The proposed strategies for overcoming safety issues include improving data collection and analysis, increasing research efforts, and promoting the adoption of advanced technology. Thus, this paper highlights the urgent need to address safety concerns in Pakistan’s coal mining industry to avoid further loss of lives and resources.