That is just another example of how liberals can just say anything that comes to mind without a consideration of the facts.
Here is a link to the Mine Safety and Health Administration:
You can query all accidents and violations for any mine you like.
http://www.msha.gov/drs/drshome.HTM
My father has worked in the Mines of WV for 38 years, it is dangerous but it is getting safer all the time. He has experienced two accidents in all those years. One when a mining car break system went out going down a hill underground (he broke his knee jumping from the car) and another when an over zealous fellow miner sideswiped a coal wall with the mining car and my Dad's ribs were broken. He doesn't have black lung because he uses the respirators unlike many in the mines who look to cash in on their black lung benefits at the cost of breathing. (I've never understood this but that is the thinking). Those that wish to jump to conclusions about Mine safety often don't know what they are talking about, just as many who jump to conclusions about poverty in Appalachia. Tell me anywhere else where you can buy a starter house for 10-20,000 and it not be a total dump?
Sometimes I think liberals confuse having to do hard work to make a living with an indicator of poverty. My family has roots in the hills of WV going back more than 100 years having immigrated before the American Revolution from Britain and they survived well by farming and mining and though WV is not the most prosperous place you will find that around every corner is a patriot ready to help you out and pick up gun to do it if necessary.
It is my opinion having spent many years away from WV that people in most places have forgotten what freedom means and have exchanged their souls for chronic dependency in every part of their lives. Those in the mountains may not be rich but they know where they came from and they know the sacrifices their ancestors made to eke out a living and will still fight till the death defending their land and their personal sovereignty.