Hecla disputes citations in death
Hecla Mining Company is disputing the citations in a federal report related to a fatal accident earlier this year at Lucky Friday Mine in Mullan.
The United States Department of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration issued a report Friday on the April 15 death of Larry Marek, 53, a miner who died when ground collapsed when he was working.
MSHA cited Hecla in areas that included a lack of proper safety precautions and policies and failure to have a support system to control the ground where miners worked.
Hecla is contesting the citations referenced in the report.
"In my opinion and upon examination, the report does not substantiate MSHA's previously issued citations," said Phil Baker, president and chief executive officer, in a press release.
"For example, contrary to MSHA's claims, the work was being conducted in accordance with Hecla's ground control plan," the press release said.
On its website, MSHA listed several suggestions it made to Hecla followed Marek's death. They included:
* Design, install, and maintain a support system to control the ground in places where persons work or travel.
* Examine and test ground conditions in areas where work is to be performed prior to work commencing and as ground conditions warrant during the shift.
* When ground conditions create a hazard to persons, install additional ground support before other work is permitted in the affected area.
* Analyze extraction ratios and backfill methods and characteristics to improve stability.
* Be alert to any change of ground conditions.
According to Hecla, it has already worked with MSHA to address issues outlined in the report, which resulted in the re-opening of the mine and continued operations.
Hecla Mine says it will continue to investigate its policies to ensure safety during all mining procedures, Baker said.
Another miner, Brandon Lloyd Gray, 26, died of injuries sustained in a Nov. 17 accident at Lucky Friday. Gray was working underground when he was trapped in the drawdown of broken rock in a bin that was being excavated,
Prior to the fall of ground in April, Hecla's safety record at the Lucky Friday mine was excellent, Baker said.
Hecla employees, past and present, worked for more than 25 years, and 8.5 million man-hours without a fatality. During that same time period, the company continued to make strides in accident reduction, he said.
"While we are back at work, the memories of our fallen miners remain with us, and as such, this can never be business as usual," Baker said.
According to the Hecla press release, MSHA may soon post its report on its website.