Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Reality television digs deep next spring, when Spike TV follows West Virginia coal miners underground.
Thom Beers, the creator of "Deadliest Catch," "Ice Road Truckers" and "Ax Men," will produce the documentary-reality series "Coal."
"Coal mining is an integral part of the American economy and the lifeblood of communities across the U.S. and the world," said Spike TV executive Sharon Levy. "This series is going to shine a light on the brave men and women and their families who endure the rigors of this arduous profession."
The dramatic rescue of 33 Chilean miners this week proved to be must-see TV around the world and "will be referenced in some way" on the show, a publicist said.
The 10-episode series "explores coal mining through the eyes of Mike Crowder and Tom Roberts, co-owners of Cobalt Mine in Westchester, West Virginia, and the area's hardworking miners, families and community members," a news release said.
Shooting begins in this month, and the show is set to debut in April 2011, a publicist said.
CNN's Rachel Wells contributed to this report.
