'Stress conditions' are cited in closure of mine near Price

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Mar 29, 2008 | by Jasen Lee Deseret Morning News

UtahAmerican Energy Inc., owned by Murray Energy Corp., said Friday that it has closed the Tower Mine near Price, effective immediately.

The mine is the deepest working coal mine in the United States, the company said.

"The closure is the result of recently encountered, unexpected and unusual stress conditions and other unforeseen geological and mining conditions, which are especially a concern to UtahAmerican management," the company said in a statement.

The company also said that "unforeseen changes" required by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration contributed to the closure of the mine in Carbon County. Last week, Murray Energy subsidiary Andalex Resources Inc. was fined $420,300 for safety violations at the Aberdeen Mine, which is part of the Tower Mine complex.

Interview requests by the Deseret Morning News to Murray Energy by phone and via e-mail went unanswered Friday.

In response to the comments in the UtahAmerican news release, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration stated, "We cannot speculate as to what 'unforeseen changes' UtahAmerican referenced in its press release; however, following the Crandall Canyon accident, MSHA has been more closely monitoring ground conditions at the Aberdeen (Tower) Mine and underground mines with more than 750 feet cover."

On Thursday, MSHA Coal Administrator Kevin Stricklin said Murray Energy is facing hefty fines for "flagrant" safety violations at the West Ridge Mine, also in Carbon County.

UtahAmerican said Friday that all employees at the Tower Mine will be offered jobs at other Murray Energy mines. Most will be transferred to the West Ridge Mine, the company's news release said.

E-mail: jlee@desnews.com