A tragic collapse at a copper mine in Kazakhstan's Ulytau region has claimed the lives of seven workers, according to officials in the Central Asian nation. The incident occurred Monday evening at a depth of 640 meters in a facility operated by mining company Kazakhmys.
Emergency crews recovered the seventh victim on Tuesday, confirming fears after a sudden rock mass collapse trapped miners underground. Kazakhstan's emergency ministry described the event as a structural failure, though investigations into its cause remain ongoing.
This disaster highlights workplace safety challenges in one of the world's top mineral producers. Kazakhstan holds 8% of global copper reserves and relies heavily on mining for economic growth, raising questions about industry regulations as global demand for critical minerals surges.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
