Deadly Utah Mine Collapse Leads to $1.85M Fine

Last year's Utah mine collapse has resulted in a hefty fine - to the tune of $1.85 million.

The U.S. government noted the fine today, citing insufficient pillar support and mining in areas that should not have been mined. Six miners died initially in the collapse last August at the Crandall Canyon mine.

Genwal Resources, the mine operator, was fined $1.34 million "for violations that directly contributed to the deaths of six miners last year," plus nearly $300,000 for other violations. Mining consultant Agapito Associates was hit with a $220,000 fine "for faulty analysis of the mine's design."

The mine's owner, Bob Murray, repeatedly denied in the days after the tragedy that his company practiced retreat mining at the site. Murray later said that the practice had been used at the mine but not at the time of the disaster.

In addition to the six miners killed in the initial cave-in, three rescuers were killed 10 days later during a subsequent collapse. The bodies of the six miners killed in the initial collapse remain in the mine.

Mine owner Bob Murray repeatedly denied in the days after the disaster that his company practiced retreat mining at Crandall Canyon. He later admitted that the practice had been used at the mine but said it was not being done at the time of the disaster.