Mining: China - a system run on bribes and lies

There is an interesting article in today's Sydney Morning Herald, written by John Garnaut and entitled, The Miners China Left For Dead.

The article describes a system run on bribes and lies

Quote: At 10pm on August 18, Meng Xianchen and Meng Xianyou were working 20 metres underground when the hillside above them collapsed and replaced their exit tunnel with a 13-metre earthen wall. For six days they survived in this tomb by chewing finger-sized pieces of coal and swallowing their own urine. They joked about whether their wives were pretty enough to find new husbands.

After interviews with more than a dozen relatives, workers and witnesses, it seems being buried alive was only half of their trouble. They were also up against a corrupt alliance of mine owners, police and district government officials. The system left them for dead.

Full article: The Miners China Left For Dead