Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health Report of Investigation: Underground Metal Mine (Platinum) Fatal Powered Haulage Accident, October 31, 2011. Stillwater Mine: Stillwater Mining Company, Nye, Stillwater County, Montana

摘要

Stillwater Mine, a multi-level underground platinum mine, owned and operated by Stillwater Mining Company, is located near Nye, Stillwater County, Montana. The principal operating official is Francis R. McAllister, CEO of operations. The mine is normally operated two, 11.5-hour shifts a day, 7 days a week. Total employment is 940 persons. Ore is extracted using the ramp-and-fill mining method. Sub-level stoping and cut-and-fill stoping are also used. Mine access drifts are driven at different elevations going east and west from the shaft. Approximately 60 percent of the ore is transported to the mill via a 1 ,950-foot vertical shaft. The remainder of the ore is transported to the mill by trucks and a rail system which extends about three miles. The ore is then transported to a smelter and base metals refinery located at a company-owned facility in Columbus, Montana. The last regular inspection of the operation was completed on August 17, 2011.