UPDATE 3: Norilsk says blast at Zapolyarny mine not to hurt operations

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KRASNOYARSK/MOSCOW, Jul 7 (PRIME) -- The methane blast at the Zapolyarny copper and nickel mine of Russian metals giant Norilsk Nickel, which killed four miners, will not hurt production plans of the Polar Division of the company, Sergei Gradyushko, a deputy CEO for labor protection and security of the division, told reporters on Friday.

“I think that after all the measures are completed … which is likely to happen in several hours, work will be restored, but the incident will not in any way affect the production plan of the mine itself or even the output of finished products by the Polar Division,” he said.

Methane exploded during headwork at the shaft.

Alyona Alexishina, representative of the chief directorate of the Emergency Ministry of the Krasnoyarsk Region, told reporters that search and rescue operations at the mine were finished. Three injured people received medical assistance, and the emergency services evacuated all of 165 miners as of 12.00 p.m. Moscow time.

She also said that operations at the shaft that had been rocked by the blast was suspended until the cause of the incident is clear.

A representative of the region’s Investigative Committee said that the committee launched an investigation of the incident, and it will soon form a special commission that will do the investigation.

Gradyushko also said that Norilsk Nickel will provide all the necessary help and payments to families of the deceased miners.

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