Montana Mine Work Suspended After Underground Death

Underground work has been suspended at a central Montana precious metals mine as federal safety inspectors investigate the death of a worker 1,200 feet underground.

Stillwater Mining Co. spokesman John Beaudry describes Monday afternoon’s death as an isolated accident. He says no one else was injured and there was no collapse inside the mine.

Beaudry says further details, including the identity of the miner, will be released once the family is notified. The body has been removed.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

Stillwater Mining is the country’s only producer of platinum and palladium, which are used in catalytic converters for cars, jewelry and in various industrial applications. The mine near Nye employs about 900 people.

Work at the mine’s surface has continued.