No miners injured in Galena rock burst

WALLACE, Idaho — A rock burst that shook Coeur Silver Valley’s Galena mine at the 5,500-foot level did little more than rattle miners who were working in the epicenter.

Mine manager Harry Cougher said no one was injured Friday, when the rock tunnel partially collapsed.

He said crews were pulled out of the area near the burst but as crews assessed the damage, production continued in other parts of the mine.

Cougher said the company was aware of the risk of rock bursts in that area and measures had been taken to reduce the impact a burst may have.

He said as miners dug, they placed safety features like cyclone fencing, sand filling and a cement cap at the back of the area.

Company officials said the damaged mine would only need basic repairs will require only and by escaping a burst of Friday’s magnitude without major injuries or damages shows the effectiveness of safer mining techniques being employed by the valley’s mining companies.