Mine safety regulators will stop pretending a dangerous mining method is still in use

US mine safety regulators want to remove rules about a dangerous mining method called "pillar mining." This method is no longer used because it is too risky for workers.

For decades, mine operators used "pillar mining" to extract coal, leaving behind pillars of coal to support the roof. When they removed these pillars, the roof often collapsed, killing workers. This rule change acknowledges that the industry has already moved on from this practice due to the high human cost.