45 Miners Dead and One Missing in Kazakhstan Mine Fire After Methane Explosion

ArcelorMittal mine's operations suspended and under investigation due to major safety risks after weekend explosion leads to national mourning; Rescue efforts continue for missing miner.

• An explosion, believed to have been caused by methane, at the Kostenko mine in Kazakhstan's central region of Karaganda over the weekend has resulted in the death of 45 miners, with one still missing.
• Mine operator ArcelorMittal Temirtau, which has faced fatalities due to the mine's "complex geology" previously, is suspending operations and engaging with authorities for a comprehensive investigation on the incident.
• Out of 252 miners at the mine, 205 were safely evacuated, while search and rescue work continues in two separate sites of the mine for the missing miner.
• The mine has experienced several fatal accidents in the past two years, which has led to significant efforts to improve safety performance since 2020, yet the fatal accidents persist.
• Recently, ArcelorMittal signed a preliminary agreement with the Kazakh government to transfer ownership of ArcelorMittal Temirtau to Kazakhstan, which indicates a new path forward to ensure sustainability and safety at the mines.
• In response to the tragedy, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared Sunday a national day of mourning.

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