[Summary translation prepared by Business & Human Rights Centre]

Cause of tragedy at Sarylakh mine — inadequate management oversight, 1 September 2025

The Lena Department of Rostechnadzor has completed an investigation into a group industrial accident that occurred on June 12, 2025, at the Sarylak mine (JSC Sarylak-Surma, part of GeoProMining), the agency reported.

While work was being carried out in an inclined raise at the mine, at approximately 9:10 a.m., a collapse of the hanging-wall rock mass occurred. As a result of a falling rock fragment measuring 2.3 × 0.8 × 0.7 meters, one miner sustained injuries incompatible with life, while another miner suffered serious injuries.

Based on the results of the investigation, Rostechnadzor determined that the main cause was the failure of managers and specialists of the subdivision to ensure proper control over the work process and compliance with labor discipline. The agency identified instances of inadequate monitoring by enterprise specialists of the stability of the rock mass. The company’s geological and mine surveying service failed to timely identify hazardous geomechanical (geodynamic) processes. The enterprise did not conduct geomechanical monitoring of the rock mass condition using technical monitoring equipment—portable acoustic measuring devices—provided for in the design documentation.

Timely measures to ensure worker safety were not taken: work in the mine opening was not suspended pending a revision of the roof support and ground control plan due to changes in mining and geological conditions. In violation of the Federal Rules and Regulations on industrial safety, Safety Rules for Mining Operations and the Processing of Solid Mineral Resources, a proper inspection of the stability of the roof and sidewalls of the excavation was not ensured.

Administrative proceedings under Part 1 of Article 9.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation have been initiated against officials of Sarylak-Surma whose violations of industrial safety requirements led to the group accident.