Idaho Miners Safely Evacuated Following Underground Rock Burst

Dec. 16, 2011
Hear that? A group of miners was able to let out a sigh of relief when they were safely evacuated from the Lucky Friday mine near Mullan, Idaho, on Dec. 14.

At approximately 7:40 p.m. that evening, a rock burst occurred 5,900 feet below the surface in the silver, lead and zinc mine, which is operated by the Hecla Mining Co. A total of 38 miners – 25 Hecla employees and 18 contractor employees – were underground at the time of the rock burst. All miners were evacuated, including seven who suffered non-life-threatening injuries that included lacerations, a broken arm and a broken pelvis. The injured miners were treated at local hospitals and are expected to fully recover.

"We are thankful that all employees are out of the mine and have been accounted for, and that those injured have been treated. The safety of our employees is our primary concern," said Phil Baker, Hecla president and CEO.

According to Hecla, no mine blasting had taken place in the mine in the 24 hours prior to the incident, and the rock burst was unrelated to mining activities. Hecla reported a seismic event on Nov. 16 that caused a rock burst approximately in the same location as the Dec. 14 event. No one was in the area when the Nov. 16 incident occurred.

This isn't the first time the Lucky Friday mine has experienced a dangerous incident: In 2011, two employees lost their lives in separate incidents at the mine. The most recent fatality occurred less than a month ago, on Nov. 17, when two miners drilling, blasting and mucking rock were drawn into material moving below them. Brandon Lloyd Gray, 26, was fatally injured in that incident. Another employee died on April 15 following a fall of ground within the mine.

Baker stressed that those fatalities are unrelated to this most recent incident.

"There's no connection to the previous fatal events," Baker said. “Our peoples' safety is very important to us, and we are working hard to get the mine back on track to its longstanding safety record prior to this year, characterized by more than 25 years and 8.5 million man-hours without a fatality."

The mine is currently closed and MSHA is investigating.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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