(Velenje, 5 September 2019) – On Thursday, 4 September 2019, a suspended diesel engine experienced a technical malfunction while transporting the employees to their positions at the start of the second shift at 2.30 p.m. in the Preloge chamber (a part of the Velenje Coal Mine.

The emergency brake was automatically triggered after the malfunction. For this reason, a part of the train hauled by the diesel engine swayed, resulting in injuries to eleven employees, who later received medical attention. Fortunately, all sustained only light injuries (contusions), and had already been released from hospital yesterday.

The accident again proved that Premogovnik Velenje, the operator of the mine, has a well-functioning alert system in case of such accidents, as the relevant services – from the duty officer in the mine, head of the rescue service, supervisors, employees present on the surface to the medical care team – immediately reacted and assisted the injured persons.

A mining inspector was also immediately notified of the accident, and she carried out an on the spot investigation yesterday.

The excavation team was being transported on the same train, and shortly after the accident continued to their positions and resumed work.

Production in the mine had already returned to normal yesterday, and there was no material damage.