The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near Cripple Creek, Colorado has been ordered to cease operations following a deadly malfunction that resulted in the death of an employee and the rescue of 23 others. The Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety conducted an inspection after the incident and issued a cease and desist letter to the mine owners. The letter prohibits the mine from reopening until a review of its operation is completed.
The mine had previously been found satisfactory with no hazards or violations during inspections by the DRMS Mine and Safety Training Program. However, the recent incident has prompted a closer examination of the mine’s operations. The mine, which offers tours to the public, had been operating safely until the malfunction that led to the fatality and trapped individuals underground.
The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine is the only tourist mine in Colorado with a personnel elevator. The mine tour website states that revenue from tours is used to maintain the mine in safe condition. The mine is named after Mollie Kathleen Gortner, who discovered gold in the area in 1891. The incident is being investigated by the Teller County Sheriff’s Office and OSHA.
Overall, Colorado tourist mines have been reported to have an excellent safety record. Inspections by the Mine Safety and Training Program for Tourist Mines will continue to ensure compliance with safety guidelines. The ongoing investigation will determine the cause of the malfunction and any necessary steps to prevent future incidents.
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