Russian steelmaker Severstal's mining subsidiary Vorkutaugol has announced that an explosion occurred at its Vorkutinskaya mine in Russia's northern Komi region on February 11. 18 workers are reported dead.
According to preliminary information, the explosion was caused by a build-up of methane. The miner also stated that it has commenced emergency repair work at the site.
The Vorkutinskaya mine started production in 1973 and has an annual coking coal production capacity of 1.8 million mt.