Ethical Analysis of Soma Mining Inc.’s Role in the Soma Coal Mine Fire, Turkey, 2014

This report presents an ethical analysis of the actions taken by Soma Mining Inc. regarding the Soma Mine Disaster as well as an evaluation of their existing safety infrastructure. Soma Mining Inc. is responsible for neglecting worker safety in order to prioritize company profits. Failure to provide functional safety equipment, construct emergency escape routes and safe rooms, establish a reliable system for communication, as well as implement a practiced emergency response plan led to the tragic deaths of 301 workers and the injury of an additional 80. The Turkish government perpetuates this negligence of worker safety as a result of their agenda to maximize profits from the mining industry. The Turkish government owns the majority of Turkish coal mines and exercises control over the safety regulation of these mines. The profitdriven interests of the Turkish government pose a conflict of interest when making decisions regarding the enforcement of safety standards in the mining industry. Enabled by such corruption, Soma Mining Inc. ignored the standards set forth by mining safety regulations. Soma Mining Inc. is directly responsible for the mass worker casualty of the Soma Mine Disaster as well as the devastating economic and social consequences that befell the surrounding communities. The actions of Soma Mining Inc. are evaluated against the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Mining Principles.Randall, D'ArcyChemical Engineerin