Southern Indiana Coal Mine Evacuated
Mine workers in Francisco, IN had to evacuate and suspend operations Monday, July 23, 2018. According to AP news, workers were drilling a borehole when they started receiving readings of high levels of methane gas, from an old mine. While no injuries have been reported, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is keeping the mine closed until further notice.
The Peabody Francisco Mine website states, "the Francisco Mine began production in 2003 and is comprised of an underground mining operation as well as a coal processing and rail loadout facility." The mine consists of 250 employees and 58 of those were working when the methane gas levels were present. Those employees evacuated per their protocol.