Rockslide at Kuzbassrazrezugol mine injures workers - Russian Investigative Committee

KEMEROVO. Oct 10 (Interfax) - A rock and land slide occurred early Thursday at the Mokhovsky open-pit mine of Kuzbassrazrezugol's (KRU) branch in the Belovsky municipal district of Kemerovo Region, resulting in injuries, the State Investigative Committee's department for the region reported.

"On the night of October 10 there was a sudden land and rock slide during open-pit coal mining work. There are injured parties, according to preliminary information," the press release said.

A criminal probe into the incident has been opened under Article 216 of Russia's Criminal Code, which covers violations of occupational safety rules. The regional prosecutor's office also said it is looking into the incident.

Emergency services told Interfax that rescue workers are looking for a worker at the Mokhovsky coal mine in Kemerovo Region who went missing after a rockslide. "One person was injured as a result of the slide. He is in satisfactory condition in hospital. Another worker is missing. A search is underway for him under the rubble," they said.

The company's press service said there were two people in the area of the rockslide at the Mokhovsky mine, a bulldozer operator and drilling rig operator. "The first worker has now been taken to a medical facility for examination. According to preliminary information, his fingers were injured," the company said.

KRU said "all material and technical resources have been mobilized to carry out mine rescue operations with the goal of freeing the drilling rig operator" and the company is implementing an emergency response plan.