Hecla Will Bypass Rock Burst Site

Hecla Mining Co. will dig a bypass around an area of the Lucky Friday Mine where a rock burst injured seven workers last week.

The company said Wednesday that the 750-foot bypass will allow miners to continue working in one of the nation's deepest underground mines, while avoiding the dangerous area.

Three of the seven miners were injured seriously enough to be taken to hospitals last Wednesday, but all have since been released. They were working at the 5,900-foot level when the rock burst occurred, and the mine has been closed since.

Hecla said digging the bypass, which will be used to remove silver ore from the mine, and resuming mine production is expected to take until the end of February.

Associated Press