DURANGO, Colo. | Federal mine inspectors say operators were warned numerous times of potential danger before two men died of carbon-monoxide poisoning in 2013.
Mine Safety and Health Administration administrator Joe Main said Tuesday managers of the Revenue-Virginius Mine near Ouray (yoo-RAY’) improperly disposed of deteriorated explosives in a mine shaft, filling the area with toxic gas, and then failed to seal off the area or ventilate the mine.
Main says managers ignored complaints from other miners, who said they became ill before the two miners died.
The mine was cited 33 times after Star Mine became the operator in 2011, including 13 that regulators determined were reasonably likely to result in injury or illness.
Main says the mine has been fined $1 million for violations that led to the miners’ deaths.