| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Safety Checks Begin in Coal Mines
The Russian Federal Ecological, Technical and Atomic Supervisory Service (Rostekhnadzor) ordered its regional offices to check safety conditions at all coal mines in the country within the next month. The mass inspection comes in reaction to the accident at the Ulyanovskaya mine last week, in which more than 100 people died. Urgent measures will be taken to remedy dangerous conditions, including closing mines. More than 180 Russian coal mines will be inspected.
Inspections began last week at 60 mines in Kemerovo Region, where the Ulyanovskaya mine is located. Examination of the site of the recent mine tragedy revealed gross violations of safety standards for the equipment in use there.
Analysts say that the inspections will send a chill through large mine owners. The financial consequences of closing a mine will vary according to how strongly the company that owns it depends on it for its income. Voluntary refitting of mines will cost about $10 million per shaft, said Antanta Capital analyst Vladimir Popov.
Finam analyst Denis Gorev noted that another concern is the use of the inspections as a means for the state to pressure coal companies that it does not control. “An analogical situation took place with Prokopyevskugol,” Gorev recounted. At that time, [Kemerovo Region Governor] Aman Tuleev repeated expressed his concern' over safety violations in mines and, as a result, the authorities received management over their assets almost for free.”
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Mar. 27, 2007
|
|
|
Photo: Grigory Tambulov
