GREY:ATIVF - Post by User
Comment by
positiveoutlookon Apr 14, 2010 4:36pm
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Post# 16992079
RE: RE: RE: RE RE RE: More Heat on MSHA....
RE: RE: RE: RE RE RE: More Heat on MSHA....Lechon
At this point, David Chirdon only knows I'm an investor in the industry and I gave him no direct affiliation to any company. I'm also in contact with Act and I'm forwarding the emails to them to keep them abreast of what is being said at MSHA through Chirdon.
It's always good to know what you're up against. I've always found a little knowledge works in your favour. Sometimes change takes time and with the culture that has been pervasive at MSHA during the Bush years takes time to flush from the system. The other point is that MSHA is gov't and they do feel the sting of public scrutiny. There are politicians that will take the heat over this last catastrophe and that will enact change in the industry going forward.
As much as Chirdon sees leaky feeder as still his choice, the times they are a-changin'. Leaky feeder still has the problem of running DC current through the system after an accident and that is much more problematic than intrinsically safe batteries in the mine. Peter Baranovski (SP) from Act also said that leaky feeder allows for lightning strikes to run down the line and create problems of their own. Lightning was blamed in an accident a couple years ago so that problem is well known.
I don't think blacklisting is one of our problems going forward as MSHA has much bigger things to deal with especially once the investigations begin and the congressional hearings are underway. As I said, public opinion is on our side as well as legislation that may face tougher scrutiny. Some of the old dinosaurs may be on their way out and hopefully the culture change will follow suit.
Lastly, it's the mines themselves that will decide what is working best for them going forward. Hopefully, many will see this as an opportunity to demand more of their C&T system. Leaky feeder won't allow for all the add-ons like our system will. I'm also hopeful that leaky feeder has had its time in the industry but only time will tell going forward.