The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has put Fortune Minerals’ Revenue mine in Ouray County, Colorado, on notice over a pattern of violations concerning mandatory health or safety standards under Section 104(e) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. Revenue is a deep-pit silver ore operation.
The Revenue mine, an underground silver mining operation, was cited by MSHA for 92 violations over the yearlong review period ending July 31. The agency identified violations related to roof and rib hazards, handling of explosives, ventilation and training. A total of 57 citations included either high negligence or reckless disregard by the operator. The mine’s S&S issuance rate was 15.67 per 100 inspection hours during the review period — compared with 4.59 for all other underground metal and nonmetal mines during the same period. S&S violations are defined as violations of a mandatory health or safety standards that “significantly and substantially contribute to the cause and effect of a coal or other mine safety or health hazard.”
In Q4 2013, two miners at Revenue died from carbon monoxide exposure in the mine area where explosives were detonated a day prior. MSHA officials, however, have yet to issue citations concerning the accident pending an investigation.
