On the afternoon of Monday, June 28, the
Greenhills coal mine near Elkford, B.C., was rocked by a significant explosion in a coal dryer on site.
Four employees were treated for smoke inhalation, but no deaths or serious injuries occurred in the blast, which caused extensive damage to the coal dryer, a five-story facility used to dry coal after it has been cleaned.
The explosion also caused a brush fire in the vicinity, which was quickly responded to and contained.
Teck, which operates and owns an 80 percent stake in the mine, reported that all employees, visitors, and contractors were accounted for after the blast, and that all regulatory agencies and authorities have been notified.
Nic Milligan, Manager of Community and Governmental Affairs, says that it would take several days for Teck to conclude an investigation into the incident.
