New Caves-In Are Possible in Salihorsk Mines

When a plan and currency play the key role, a person stands behind.

On March 9 there was a cave-in in the third mine in Salihorsk; two miners died - Dzmitry Valkou and Maksim Ivanou.

On Facebook Salihorsk independent civic activist Aliaksandr Molochko told about little-known facts about introduction of "new technologies" on "Belaruskali".

It turns out their use aims at increase of targets at the expense of safety rules.

"In the summer of 2013, a spare line of waste disposal conveyors was set on the factory of the first mine. Instead of two parallel lines, only one consisting of four conveyors was set. And if earlier in case of emergency there was a chance of transition to a parallel line... since the summer of 2013 workers have missed this opportunity," the activist writes.

The project, as the resident of Salihorsk notes, was personally lobbied by former Director of the 1st Mining Department Aliaksnadr Harbachou.

But at the end of 2014 Ivan Halavaty was appointed a new Director General of OAO Belaruskali. Lukashenka set a clear task for him – to increase foreign currency revenues to the treasury.

"The conveyor line seemed "outdated" to the director of the first mine: in case of emergency the sensor, which switches off the entire line of conveyors, goes off to safe lives of workers. And then the work of the entire factory suspends. "As a result, it caused output shortage, failure to meet the plan, lack of foreign currency in the budget - in other words, sabotage of instructions of the "chief" in the country," Aliaksandr Molochko writes.

As a result, all emergency stop switches have been disconnected. "The plan and currency are rather more valuable than a person!" the activist points out.

Charter97.org managed to learn that Aliaksandr Harbachou known for his "innovations" in the first mine of "Belaruskali" was later took the position of Director of the Third Mining Department, which he headed at the time of the accident of March 9.

At the request of journalists Aliaksandr Molochko commented on the situation:

- Could the pursuit of plan cause the emergency in the third mine?

- All Mining Departments practice such an approach. Every director has a production program and they meet it. At the moment the situation with other products is poor, potash mines experience increased pressure.

Workers sacrificed their lives in pursuit of the plan. An "innovative method" was introduced at the third mine. The essence of it is to dig old workings developed in the 80-90s and to shear.

Earlier the distance between shafts was 6 metres, now it is being thickened by 1.5 metres on both sides...

It may cause everything, including caves-in. The pressure on walls increases. Mines near Salihorsk resemble asphalt under a sharp heel. The sharper the heel, the more pressure it puts on the surface. And the "innovative" method just makes this heel thinner and sharper. The final result is a mystery. I think new caves-in are possible.

- What can prevent such accidents?

- What? The Maidan can. The one which took place in Salihorsk in early 90s. When the people take a stand and say: "We are not cattle, and we are not going to die in such conditions."