The Russian mining and steel producing company Mechel has announced that all mining operations have been suspended at its Southern Kuzbass subsidiary's Kemerovo region-located Lenin Mine after a methane flash occurred during repair work at a depth of 310 meters.
At the time of the accident 41 workers were in the flash area. All were rescued, while 17 of the workers were transported to local hospitals for treatment for burns.
"Operations are currently being carried out to eliminate the accident's after-effects according to the approved emergency plan. All mining operations at the mine have been suspended," commented Mechel Management CEO Vladimir Polin.