Mine Safety Fact:  On February 15, 2005, a methane explosion at an underground coal mine in China killed 203 miners.  Mine explosions in the United States, which have killed a total of 106 coal miners in the last 25 years, are largely prevented by a number of safety practices including the use of ventilation to minimize methane concentrations.   Mine ventilation also protects miner's health by reducing exposure to airborne contaminants such as coal dust, diesel emissions, silica dust and toxic fumes from blasting.