Six Remain Trapped in Mine MSHA Cited Last Month
Rescue efforts continue as six miners remain trapped some 1,500 feet below the ground in a collapsed mine shaft nearly four miles from the entrance of Crandall Canyon Mine in Emery County, Utah. According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration's Web Site, the agency was notified of the accident at about 5:40 a.m. EDT Aug. 6.
The mine is owned by Murray Energy Corp. and is part of UtahAmerican Energy's Genwal complex. MSHA has issued 33 citations against the mine this year, including 15 citations in July. One of those citations, issued July 17, was for an alleged violation of 30 CFR Section 75.383, for failure to have a map posted or readily accessible to all miners in each working section and in each area where mechanized mining equipment is being installed or removed, showing the designated escapeways from the working section to the location where miners must travel to satisfy the escapeway drill specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. Another citation, issued the same day, was for an alleged violation of 30 CRF Section 75.380(d)(1), for failure to maintain each escapeway in a safe condition to always assure passage of anyone, included disabled persons.
No official report has been given as of Tuesday morning whether the miners are alive or dead.