An explosion at ArcelorMittal’s Kostenco mine in Kazakhstan claimed the lives of 46 coal miners on October 29. The company said that 206 of 252 miners had been evacuated after a methane ignition occurred underground. Local reporting said that gas levels the following day had returned to normal and there are no visible signs of fire.
“Everything that can be done will be done to support the families in Kazakhstan who have lost loved ones through this deeply painful time,” the company said in a press release. “Assistance to bereaved families includes all funeral and memorial expenses, a one-off payment equivalent to 10 years’ salary, purchasing housing, repaying personal loans, and the covering of all education fees for children up to the age of 23.”
ArcelorMittal has been discussing the future of ArcelorMittal Temirtau, which operates the mine, with the Government of Kazakhstan. They had signed a preliminary agreement to transfer ownership to the Republic of Kazakhstan.
