Stillwater Mine on Full Stand-Down After Death of Miner

The Billings Gazette has reported that, following the death of a miner, the Stillwater Mine near Nye is on a full stand-down. According to their reporting:

The underground miner was operating bolting equipment used to secure the roof of mining tunnels, Heather McDowell, a vice president at Sibanye Stillwater, said Monday morning. The accident occurred in an area underground that was being prepared for new mining.

“We’ve canceled the day shift and night shift and buses have come to take the miners home,” McDowell said. “It’s incredibly sad for all of us.”

She said the miner was working for a contractor at the mine.

Stillwater is the only palladium and platinum mining company in the U.S. It operates two mines including the Stillwater Mine near Nye and has a workforce of 2,335 employees and contractors, according to its website.