The Daxing Mine disaster of August 7 that has left at least 123 workers trapped underground demonstrates that we have not learned our lesson despite the string of deadly mining accidents over the last few years.

　　The government has obviously not been supervising mines seriously. The Daxing Mine was found to be operating without necessary production licences and continuing to run even after the Guangdong provincial government issued an order to suspend production at all local mines in the wake of the tragedy on July 14 in the same city of Xingning that killed 14 miners.

　　Many local governments rely heavily on coal mines as a source of revenue, so they tend to turn a blind eye to safety in dangerous mines. Some crooked local officials and their relatives even have personal stakes in mines.

　　Mine owners are sure they will be shielded by their local governments, knowing all too well how the system works.

　　They are not interested in investing in safety equipment as this costs much more than paying off the families of the dead.

　　The mayors of Meizhou and Xingning, where the Daxing Mine is located, have been relieved of their posts, but more severe punishments need to be handed out so that officials dare not shirk their responsibilities by risking the lives of poor miners to fatten local government coffers.

　　The mine owners should also be dealt with severely so that no one flouts safety laws in future. The message should be sent loud and clear - you will not get away with simply writing a meagre cheque for the victims' families.

　　Severe punishments will not only be a warning for Guangdong Province, but for the nation as a whole.

　　China produces 35 per cent of the world's coal but accounts for 80 per cent of the world's coal mine deaths. The fatality rate is much higher than in India and South Africa, and 100 times that in the United States.

　　With 6,027 workers killed in floods, explosions and fires last year, China's coal mines claimed 2,672 lives in the first half of this year - a rise of 3.3 per cent over the same period last year.

　　It is true that China depends on coal for two-thirds of its energy consumption, which drives its rapid industrialization and economic growth, but growth should not be fuelled by casting aside the rights and even lives of miners. No one should presume that loss of life is unavoidable in the pursuit of economic growth.

　　The government needs to show determination to make mines adhere to safety standards. A figure cannot be put on human life, so safety must be ensured whatever the cost.

　　We need to find out how many mines do not meet safety standards yet are still employing miners in appalling conditions. We need to protect the rights of miners, who are often farm workers exploited by profit-driven mine owners. We need to make sure safety equipment and proper management are in place.

　　An investigation of 45 key State-owned mines since April this year has found 3,200 possible triggers for disasters. We certainly should not wait to tackle these problems just because these mines produce badly-needed coal.

　　The Xingning disaster also shows us how ill prepared our rescue operations are. Pumps have to be shipped from neighbouring Jiangxi Province to draw water from the flooded colliery, taking up to two days - too long for those trapped 480 metres underground.

　　Horrific mine disasters are not going to stop unless we address fundamental safety problems now.