It is not possible to exist without any risks on principle, therefore it is necessary to find ways of coexistence with hazardous circumstances. Within limits it is possible to influence negative consequences and liability. If risks are materializing then it is necessary to limit the damage. In an overall assessment of risks in mining it is necessary to view mining as a nature human machine system. Within the context of risk assessment in terms of the product of severity of damage and probability of occurrence the severity of damage is of particular importance. Risks are mostly determined by the (damaging) energy within the system and by the dynamic process of damage. A feature of crisis situations in mining is, that the incident is driven by nature. The Objective of an intervention is: It shall not get worse! The main tasks are: Mastering the emergency as such, economic mastering of the emergency and taking care of the world outside. There are two main challenges for the Austrian mining industry: The first is linked to the mature underground operations and the typical risks associated with such situations, i.e. remnant mining, shortage of working places and restricted flexibility. The detection of small changes in the systems (with the help of operations specific indicators) could be a useful approach to early diagnosis of risks in such situations. The second relates to the mine rescue services infrastructure and the strengthening the mine rescue operations.