22 sentenced for deadly mine accident in China

November 19, 2020 Mining Editor

A local court has sentenced 22 people to jail for their involvement in a mine accident that left 22 dead and 28 injured in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2019.

Photo taken on Feb. 23, 2019 shows the accident site at a lead, zinc and silver mine under Yinman Mining Company in West Ujimqin Banner, Xilingol League, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The accident occurred on Feb. 23, 2019 when a shuttle vehicle lost control and crashed into the side of a tunnel in a lead, zinc and silver mine site.

The site was under Yinman Mining Company in the West Ujimqin Banner of Xilingol League.

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An earlier investigation revealed that the vehicle involved in the accident was illegally purchased online, bypassed safety checks, and was overloaded.

The people’s court of West Ujimqin Banner pronounced the verdict sentencing 18 people of the mining company to up to four years and eight months in prison.

They were sentenced for crimes of negligently causing a serious accident and offering bribes to non-government workers.

The other two were both sentenced to four years and six months in prison for engaging in illegal business operations.

Meanwhile, two local government officials received criminal penalties for abuse of power, taking bribes, and dereliction of duty, the court said, without elaborating.

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