Belaruskali’s mine 2 under threat of flooding

The situation at Belaruskali’s mine and refinery complex 2 is catastrophic.

The mine and equipment worth over $200mn are under threat of flooding.

As charter97.org learnt, experts from the US, Germany and Poland were invited to combat the flooding. A concrete dam, which was supposed to stop brine inflow, was erected in the first days after the incident, but water began to flow and dissolve salt. Water may flow into the mine only from upper water-bearing strata, specialists say. If this information appears to be true, the mine will be deluged completely within a month or two. The volume of water inflow remains stable so far.

The company denies it has any problems and tries to downplay the consequences of the incident threatening the personnel with immediate dismissal in case of spreading “rumours”. The mine works in normal mode in spite of the threat of catastrophic developments. The company makes no attempts to save the expensive equipment.

Specialists say works in this mine field were banned in 1962 due to predicted watercut, but the ban was disregarded in pursuit of implementation of the plan.

We remind that water flooding at the third mine level at Belaruskali’s mine and refinery complex 2 occurred in early hours of June 24. A week later, the company admitted the fact of the accident and released information about it:

“At 02:45 am on June 24, during mining works on penetration of exploratory drifts in the south-east direction at Belaruskali’s mine and refinery complex 2 the brecciated ore zone in the drift floor was accessed at -445m, which resulted in brine inflow. The inflow speed was 35-40 cubic metres per hour. A waterproof dam was erected. The brine inflow is being monitored. The brine is accumulated in the main roadway. Works have not been halted. The company works in the normal technological mode.”

Belaruskali has four mine and refinery complexes as well as auxiliary and service departments (transport, energy, repair, building firms and shops). The Krasnoslobodski mine was opened in May 2009. On December 14, 2006, construction of the sixth, Beryozovski, mine was started.

The closing down of mine 2 will be a catastrophe for Salihorsk and the country’s budget.

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In the picture: Flooding of Uralkali’s mine 1 was recorded in 2006. In 2007, sinkhole opened on that very site damaging the railroad line, the town of Berezniki and power facilities.