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Fatal accident at copper mine in southwestern Poland

20.08.2024 11:11
The body of a 50-year-old miner was found after a several-hour search operation at the copper mine located in southwestern Poland. A three-day period of mourning has been declared at all facilities of the KGHM group.
The copper mine Polkowice-Sieroszowice, owned by the KGHM group, located in the south-western part of Poland.
The copper mine Polkowice-Sieroszowice, owned by the KGHM group, located in the south-western part of Poland.(amb) PAP/Aleksander Koźmiński

The rescue operation was launched when the man did not return to the surface after his shift. The 50-year-old had worked at the Lower Silesian mine for over 11 years, having first descended underground in 2013.

According to Radio Wrocław, the miner's body was discovered in one of the mine’s corridors, located with the help of a small personal transmitter embedded in his lamp.

The cause of the accident is still unknown and will be investigated by a specially appointed commission.

"The management of the KGHM group extends its deepest condolences to the miner’s family and loved ones," said the company via social media. Mourning will be observed at all KGHM facilities for the next three days.

The Polkowice-Sieroszowice Mining Plants are part of KGHM Polska Miedź and are one of Poland's three active copper mines.

Formed in 1996 from the merger of the Polkowice and Sieroszowice mines, this facility produces 12 million tons of polymetallic ore annually, which includes around 201,000 tons of copper, 390 tons of silver, and more than 300,000 tons of salt.

Source: IAR/KGHM/TVP Info/Radio Wrocław
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