It has not been a very good year for the American coal industry, as both exports and price per ton continue to trend downward, but it’s been even worse for the coal miners themselves.

Last week, the Trump administration approved yet another delay in the implementation of a Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rule to lower miners’ exposure to deadly silica dust. The National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association sued to block the rule back in April — and instead of voicing any opposition to the suit or support for the rule, the Trump Labor Department has ignored the miners’ plight in favor of well-heeled corporate interests.

After years of organizing by miners and advocacy groups, the silica rule was finally supposed to take effect in April but was then pushed back due to ​“unforeseen NIOSH restructuring.” Translation: the administration, via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was then busy dismantling ​​the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and its black lung monitoring program (then frantically restoring the program under court order following a class action lawsuit from West Virginia coal miners).