Cause of Kazakhmys Corporation's mine collapse to be determined within 10 days

Seven miners were killed in the Kazakhmys Corporation’s Zhomart mine collapse on February 17. 402 workers were evacuated. The pretrial investigation has been launched. The operational headquarters was deployed at the accident site. The hotline received 23 calls. The governmental commission proceeded to investigate the cause of the accident, Bozumbayev said.

According to preliminary information, the natural gas explosion triggered the collapse. Bozumbayev and members of the commission surveyed the accident site and met with the bereaved families.

He said the operations at the mine were suspended. Two special sub-commissions were established. The first is set to determine the cause of the accident, and the second is to detect any safety volitions. The sub-commissions should complete their work within 10 days.

As earlier reported, seven workers were trapped inside an underground shaft at Zhomart mine in Ulytau region, Kazakhstan.

The incident occurred at around 4:50 pm local time 150km away from Zhezkazgan town.

The bodies of all seven workers were retrieved, the Emergency Situations Ministry said. Names of miners killed at the Zhomart mine were revealed.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev extended condolences to the families of the miners killed in the Kazakhmys Corporation’s mine collapse in Ulytau region.

To note, Kazakhmys Corporation will give necessary assistance provided for by collective agreement to the families of the miners killed at the Zhomart mine in Ulytau region.

It said in a statement that the bereaved families will be paid tenfold the annual mean earnings of a worker and over 2 million tenge for funeral expenses as social and material aid and compensation for moral damages. 

Besides, the loans and credits of the workers killed at the mine will be repaid. The families will also receive financial assistance to pay for the education of their children.