Nielsen is a 35-year mining industry veteran whose last position was director of mine development for Interwest Mining, the coal mining division of Rocky Mountain Energy.

In his new position, he will monitor coal mine safety activities involving Utah operators, serve as the state's liaison to the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration and coordinate the responses of state agencies to a coal mine accident.

At Interwest, Nielsen was responsible for recruiting, hiring and training employees. He has experience with ground control - the key issue at Crandall Canyon, where nine miners died and six were injured in a pair of catastrophic implosions of the mine's walls.

Nielsen also has a background in underground construction, longwall production and supervision.

"Garth's strong commitment to mining safety is evident through his valuable experience with developing and implementing numerous company safety plans covering all aspects of coal mining operations," said Utah Labor Commissioner Sherrie Hayashi, who announced the appointment Thursday.

"His qualifications and experience bring great leadership and balance to his position," she added.

The creation of an Office of Coal Mine Safety was recommended by the Utah Mine Safety Commission, which Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. appointed after Crandall Canyon to determine what more the state could do to ensure the safety of its mines.

After a series of lengthy meetings throughout the fall, the commission recommended nearly four dozen measures that could be undertaken to improve safety and government responses to a calamity. The commission stopped short of suggesting the state return to the mine inspection business and to become involved in the federal plan-approval process.

mikeg@sltrib.com