CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A recent federal report says the nation's underground coal mines are still not up to par when it comes to protecting trapped miners.

This comes nearly two years after Congress required extra safety equipment in mines.

When an international coal group mine in Raleigh County is fully up and running, more than 250 coal miners will go there to work and what is promised at this mine is a new standard of safety.

“They are starting from day one with all the SSER and the ultra modern safety equipment, modern training. We are going well beyond the training operations with developing skills and safe habits,” President and CEO of ICG Ben Hatfield said.

Two years ago was a tragic reminder of the serious dangers coal miners face. 12 miners were killed after an explosion at ICG’s Sago Mine.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, the federal government stepped up its mining safety regulations, but according to a recent federal report our nation's coal mines are not yet making the grade.

“I can tell you the members of coal industry I work with are very determined to protect their people and comply with the law,” Hatfield said.

They blame it on supply and demand. They say vendors can't keep up with their orders for equipment.

“Even on the mine rescue shelters, we're the first in the state to order ours and even now we are continuing to have them filter in slowly. They have not all been delivered,” Hatfield said.

Owners are waiting to deliver on a promise of safety all the while the danger underground stays the same. The deadline for coal mines to comply with the tougher regulations is June 2009.

State Safety Chief Ron Wooten says new wireless communication devices and tracking gear should be in place by the end of this year.