Evraz's Sheregeshsky mine suspends operations after cave-in

MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - Evraz Group's Sheregeshsky mine has suspended mining work after a cave-in on Monday, the press service of the Tashtagol district of Kemerovo Region, where the mine is located, told Interfax.

"Underground work is not being done under this area [of the cave-in]. Mining work at the mine has now been suspended for control of the ventilation regime. After measures are done and safety is confirmed, mining work will resume," the press service said.

The subsidence of the land surface within the boundaries of the mining allocation of the Sheregeshsky mine was foreseeable, so the area of the possible landslide was cordoned off ahead of time and marked with warning signs, a spokesman said. Homes in the area were vacated, the asphalt road and municipal water line to Stary Sheregesh were moved and Lapinsky Stream was diverted.

Roads and homes have not been damaged by the cave-in, the press service said. "The main road has been closed, stations have been posted and bus traffic on the route to Stary Sheregesh has been restricted while studies are done. There is a detour. No one was hurt. In future, taking into account the views of the local administration, [Evraz] proposes to fill in the area of the cave-in in order to preserve the town's appearance," the spokesman said.

The cave-in was reported in the morning by a witness, he said.

Evraz's public relations department confirmed that mining has been suspended at the mine and that there were no injuries. "Experts from the Sheregeshsky mine and the [Tashtagol] district administration promptly went to the site," the company said.

"According to the mine's expects, it is necessary to additionally study the mine workings, and make sure that the ventilation regime has not changed. After measurements are made and safety is confirmed, mining work will resume," a company spokesman said.

In the fall of 2021, Evraz announced plans to invest 4.5 billion rubles in the development of the Sheregeshsky mine to bolster dwindling ore reserves and maintain current production at least until 2032.