UtahAmerican Energy Inc., owned by Murray Energy Corp., said today that it has closed the Tower Mine near Price, effective immediately.
The mine is the deepest working coal mine in the United States, the company said.
In a statement, the company said "the closure is the result of recently encountered, unexpected, and unusual stress conditions and other unforeseen geological and mining conditions, which are especially a concern to UtahAmerican management."
The company also said that changes required by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration contributed to the closure of the mine in Carbon County.
On Thursday, MSHA Coal Administrator Kevin Stricklin said Murray Energy is facing hefty fines for "flagrant" safety violations at the West Ridge Mine, also in Carbon County. Last week, Murray Energy subsidiary Andalex Resources Inc. was fined $420,300 for safety violations at the Aberdeen Mine, which is part of the Tower Mine complex.
UtahAmerican said today that all employees at the Tower Mine will be offered jobs at other Murray Energy mines. Most will be transferred to the West Ridge Mine, the company's news release said.
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