13 January, 2009A rock fall in the Charcas San Luis de Potosí mine has left one worker dead and another seriously injured. The National Miners' and Metalworkers' Union of Mexico (SNTMMSRM) calls on the government and companies to accept responsibility for workers' safety.
Mexico: On Wednesday 31 December 2008, a rock fall at the Charcas San Luis Potosí mine (gold, silver and other metals), owned by Grupo Mexico, killed Juan Rafael Escalante, 39.
The incident also left another worker, Juan Carlos Aguilar Martín, seriously injured. He suffered blows and fractures that left him in serious state of health. He was taken to Social Security Clinic 50 in San Luis Potosí.
The rock fall occurred at level 10 in the mine at 9.15 p.m. on 31 December.
The miners' union, led by Napoleón Gómez, said the accident "shows once again that the companies given mining concessions by the government, in this case Grupo Mexico, must improve health and safety conditions for workers." The union went on to say that "this has been one of the union's constant and important demands, but the company and federal and local labour authorities have ignored it."
The miners' union has focused on improving health and safety conditions in mines and factories.
It called on the government and companies to accept responsibility for conditions at mining, metalworking and steelworking workplaces in order to avoid this kind of accident.