The Exception

This may seem like an obvious point but as the world celebrates the rescue of the Chilean miners it's important to remember why this rescue is exceptional.

They're alive.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said about the vast majority of those involved in mine accidents. Around the world, negligent owners exploit miners who work in unsafe conditions and almost on a daily basis, many of these miners are killed. Over the past week alone 26 miners have died in mine related accidents and disasters: 1 in India, 3 in South Africa, 1 in West Virginia, 13 in China, 2 in Zambia, and 6 in Colombia.

It's a story we hardly ever hear about in the U.S. but these tragedies occur day in and day out and we shouldn't lose sight of that.

For a running list of mine disasters around the world, have a look at Mark Nowak's excellent blog, Coal Mountain.