MARKETS

Death count up after Colombian explosion

THE number of dead following this week's blast at a Colombian coal mine has risen to an estimated...

Donna Schmidt
Death count up after Colombian explosion

According to Reuters, rescuers working to recover bodies at the La Preciosa underground pit mine in the Norte de Santander province have located 17 of an estimated 21 and are continuing to use oxygen masks and ventilation machines in their recovery efforts.

The mine suffered a blast Wednesday which is being linked to methane.

On Thursday, Reuters quoted Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos as saying that he was now calling for a mine safety review.

"We're going to review every way mines are controlled and how the regulations are used to avoid these accidents,” he said.

“That's where there's a need for much more effectiveness, I believe. If there are effective and rigorous controls, these tragedies would not happen."

A 2007 explosion at the La Preciosa operation killed 32 workers and a blast at another Colombian mine last June left 70 dead.

Colombia is the world’s fifth-largest coal exporter.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production