Posted: Saturday, February 19, 2011 2:52 pm | (0) Comments
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.ELKO - The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration this week announced results of January impact inspections, and the Jerritt Canyon Mine north of Elko was on the list.
MSHA reported that beginning on Jan. 19, agency inspectors conducted an impact inspection at the Jerritt Canyon mill, and they issued 24 citations and seven orders.
Yukon-Nevada's investment relations manager, Nicole Sanches, said the company didn't have any comment on the MSHA citations.
The agency stated two of the orders were issued in conjunction with an imminent danger order. One was issued over the operator's failure to examine each working place at least once per shift for conditions that may adversely affect safety or health. A second order was issued for operating equipment that posed hazards to miners.
MSHA also issued an order for the assay lab in which inspectors detected a strong, irritating odor and white mist/vapors coming off a heated tray inside a ventilation hood.
The agency reported the inspector took an immediate sample, indicating that nitric acid potential exposure was above the established short-term exposure limit.
The health risks from overexposure include severe lung damage, such as pulmonary edema, according to MSHA.
The agency stated in the announcement that it began the impact inspections last April after the explosion at the Upper Big Branch coal mine in West Virginia that killed 29 miners to focus on mines that may merit extra attention.
AI
