- A rock fall occurred at 1,100 meters depth in Garpenberg mine.
- Six employees were hospitalized and later released.
- Seismic activity increased, prompting full mine evacuation.
- Production will resume post-inspection, timing undetermined.
Incident Overview
On March 14, a rock fall occurred at a depth of over 1,100 meters in the Garpenberg mine. This incident resulted in a pressure wave that affected four employees in nearby areas, all of whom were taken to the hospital for treatment. Two additional employees sought medical attention for check-ups. All six individuals have since returned home.
Seismic Activity and Evacuation
The Garpenberg mine typically experiences seismic activity, but on the evening of March 14, the activity increased to abnormal levels. This prompted a decision to evacuate the entire mine for safety reasons. As a result, mine production was halted.
Production Impact
While the mine was evacuated, production in the concentrator continued until Sunday, after which it was also stopped for planning reasons. The seismic activity has not yet returned to a level that allows for inspections of the mine.
Future Actions
Production at the mine will gradually resume once inspections of the infrastructure and mining positions are completed. However, the timing for these inspections and the subsequent resumption of production cannot be determined at this time.
