In the Amur Region, the deputy head of the department and senior inspector of the regional department of Rostechnadzor for inspection of hazardous production facilities were detained on suspicion of negligence (Article 293 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), whose work collapsed at the Pioneer mine. This was reported by press service Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.
According to the investigation, in 2022 and 2023, Rostechnadzor employees did not report gross violations of the legislation on industrial safety of hazardous production facilities following the results of planned inspections of the mine.
It was noted that “as a result of the unscrupulous and negligent attitude” towards their powers, the authorities failed to stop the abuses, including the administrative suspension of mining activities. The investigation alleges that this led to maintenance work at the industrial facility being carried out with gross violations.
The ministry announced that in addition to the negligence case, a criminal investigation into violations of safety requirements during work is also ongoing. The general manager of the mine was accused and taken into custody.
On March 18, a rock collapse occurred at the Pioneer mine. At the time of the emergency, 13 people were underground, whose exact location and fate were unknown.
At the same time, exploration showed that parts of the mine were flooded following the collapse. However, according to rescue teams, water can bypass areas where injured miners are located. Read more in the socialbites.ca article.
Previously Pioneer team expressed We express our condolences to the families of the miners underground.