Mine safety was dependent on their reliable operation.

Criticism over mine safety certainly wouldn't help to boost the mining minister and president's approval ratings, as this story has done.

A preliminary report by a mine safety expert has said that the tunnel's support beams were made of wood, not metal, and the mine had too few carbon monoxide sensors.

Financing also came from local miners under the guise of improved mine safety.

As governor, he reduced the state's debt and enacted mine safety regulations.