The causes for mine explosions is gas that is trapped in the rock which is released and spreads throughout a shaft and ignites and begins to burn the coal dust which in turn catches alight the solid coal and could burn for years.

The families of the lost miners (from the US.) were compensated with 1.5 Million dollars.  The Chinese families were given a total of 103 thousand dollars plus 1700 dollars for funeral compensation.

I think the lacking safety regulations in China are because they are more worried about making money and power then safety. They are too interested in the result then what happens to get there. China is more focussed on making money and providing power because they are a "growing country" and need to meet the demand and safety has no place in their operations.

Trenton lloyd-Rees