How convenient of you to use only one aspect of the statistics, and only one years numbers to draw a flawed conclusion.  2016 had fewer deaths in coal mining simply because fewer miners were working. If you cite, say ten years of stats you would see the fatal accident RATE is roughly the same. (about 1 in 10,000) Trump has nothing to do with safety in mining, that is up to the men and women who are doing the work. I have worked as a "surface mechanic" at several mines in Colorado, (as a subcontractor) and I can tell you first hand that safety is a huge concern and you cannot even be on the mining company property without MSHA safety training and in some cases specific company safety training. At the ColoWyo Coal mine you cannot drive past the front gate without a company issued drivers license that you get only after driver safety training and a test.