The Ukrainian government had allocated 27.5 million U.S. dollars from the state budget to improve mining safety standards, the country`s coal mine safety watchdog said Thursday, according to Xinhua.
"The funds will be used to build and to upgrade the safety systems of 16 major coal-mining enterprises and establishment of safety and training centers for miners," the State Service of Mining Supervision and Industrial Safety said on its website.
A total of 8.75 million dollars will be spent on implementing the unified telecommunication system of mining machines and technological complexes control (UTSC) in three coal mines, while 13 other state-run mines will receive 18.75 million dollars to upgrade their UTSC.
The remaining funds will be provided to establish safety centers and training centers for miners, the service said.
Ukraine`s mines are believed to be among the world`s most dangerous due to their outdated equipment and lax safety regulations. Last year, 161 people died in coal mine accidents in Ukraine.
Though the fatalities were down from the 131 deaths in 2010, the situation remains grim.
