Pioneer Mine Manager Arrested for Violating Safety Rules

The court arrested the managing director of the Pioneer mine, where 13 people were trapped due to a collapse in the mine. He was charged under the article of violating safety requirements during work (Article 216 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). This is reported on website local administration of the Investigative Committee of Russia.

The manager will remain in custody until May 19. According to the investigation, the accused knew that work in the mine was taking place within the reservoir deposit – a quarry filled with water. The man did not organize the drainage of the quarry, as a result, water broke out of it, which led to a collapse in the mine.

In addition, a criminal case of negligence was previously opened against employees of the Far Eastern Department of Rostechnadzor. According to the investigation, during the inspections they did not reveal any violations at the facility.

On March 18, a rock mass collapse occurred at the Pioneer gold deposit. 13 miners were trapped underground. Nothing is still known about their fate. The governor of the Amur region, Vasily Orlov, said that shift workers from other regions were under the rubble. 200 people took part in the rescue efforts. Rescuers found water in the mine.

The Pioneer Mining and Hydrometallurgical Combine is one of the largest gold mining enterprises in Russia. Work has been ongoing since 2008. During this time, 2.8 million ounces of gold were mined.

Anastasia Larina