Raspadskaya declares force-majeure on mine blast

Russian coal miner Raspadskaya has declared force-majeure to main customers and said coking coal concentrate sales would plunge after the May mine blast that killed at least 66 miners.

The force-majeure notice, which allows Raspadskaya to stop or cut volumes under contracts without paying fines due to extraordinary circumstances, has been sent to Russian and foreign metal, coke-chemical, transportation companies and ports.

The accident at the Raspadskaya mine became the worst in Russia in three years. With 66 people confirmed dead, the search for the 24 men still missing was halted because of fears of new underground blasts. Russian prosecutors have said they will probe safety at all Russian coal mines and open a criminal case against the general director of the Raspadskaya mine, who resigned after a rebuke from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.