From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

October 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Mine Communication Bill to Have Hearing In House

Seeks Tech Answer to Mine Communications

Washington D.C.—Congressman Jim Matheson says a technological initiative is needed to come up with the communications equipment that would allow underground miners to communicate with workers above ground during an emergency.

The legislation will be considered in the House Science Committee Wednesday. The bill has bipartisan support.

Matheson has introduced legislation—the Mine Communications Technology Innovation Act (HR 3877). It directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish such an initiative. He began working on the bill in the aftermath of the mine disaster in Utah that claimed 9 lives.

“One of the most difficult aspects of the recent Crandall Canyon mine collapse in Utah was not knowing where the trapped miners were when the cave-in occurred,” said Matheson.  “It made for an excruciating ordeal for the families, the mine owner, and the mine rescuers.”

Matheson said lack of communications left the rescuers with the frustrating scenario of trying to drill blindly through hundreds of feet of rock with the hope of reaching survivors. He said mine tunnels, particularly the deep underground tunnels in Utah, have properties that present unique technological challenges for existing tracking and communications systems.

“The open air pathway required for radio signals and WiFi often doesn’t exist in deep underground mines.  Less than 10 percent of the radio spectrum that is used above ground can be used underground, and only a fraction of that is allocated for commercial communications purposes.  We need to jump start the research, development and demonstration of this equipment,” said Matheson.

Matheson said that roughly 1,400 underground coal mines operate in the U.S. Most have focused on improving existing communications enough to survive a coal mine explosion, fire or collapse but all have limitations.

Matheson said NIST has a long history of working in conjunction with industry to invest in longer-term, high-risk research that yields national benefits.  While better underground communications is a federal mine safety requirement, more work is needed before the communications will be widely available and incorporates next generation technology.

Matheson’s bill directs NIST to establish the research program and where appropriate to make grants available to entities that may be able to speed development of the technology.

#  #  #

Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)