Mine settlement pending approval

A settlement between Revett Minerals and government regulators concerning a fine levied after a Troy Mine worker’s death two years ago was reached last week and is pending a judge’s approval.

John Shanahan, Revett’s chief executive officer, said he could not discuss terms of the settlement until it is approved.

Mike Ivins, a 55-year-old mine mechanic, died in a Troy Mine accident in July 2007 when rock collapsed and crushed his service truck while he was inside.

An investigation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration determined that Genesis Inc., a Revett subsidiary that operates Troy Mine, was negligent in Ivins’ death. Regulators issued a $60,000 fine because “adequate ground support was not installed and maintained in the area to control the ground,” according to the report.

Revett officials have adamantly denied allegations of negligence, and say that providing a safe environment for workers continues to be their No. 1 priority.

“Safety is everything to our mine,” Shanahan said, “and safety is going to continue to be our focus.”

Since Ivins’ death, MSHA has reported over 300 violations at Troy Mine and has hit the company with nearly $1 million in fines, not including findings from an ongoing inspection that began this month.

Revett has paid about $73,000 in fines and is contesting 68 violations that add up to more than $800,000, according to MSHA’s website. Many of the alleged violations concern the use of underground supports.

Additionally, Revett’s insurance company is taking on a multi-million dollar civil lawsuit launched by Ivins’ family accusing Revett of negligence, failure to provide a safe place to work and intentional and malicious acts.

Revett officials deny all allegations concerning the accident.