The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration has stated that overall compliance regarding safety and health regulations is improving among more than 12,000 metal and nonmetal mining operations.

According to preliminary data, there was a 14 percent decline in citations and orders issued at these mines. In 2010, there were 74,373 citations and 64,186 citations in 2011. The percentage of significant and substantial citations and orders fell from 33 percent in 2010 to 28 percent in 2011, and recent data show that impact inspections as well as the pattern of violations program are helping compliance improvements.

"We are moving in a positive direction," says Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "More operators are taking a greater responsibility for mine safety and health, and as a result, miners are better protected from injuries, illnesses and death; more money can be invested in mine safety rather than used to pay penalties for violations; and litigation is reduced."