Kazakhstan’s government announced on Sunday that the death toll from a devastating fire at a coal mine owned by ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT) has risen to 42, with four people still missing.

According to the company, the fire was likely sparked by a blast of methane gas. At the time of the incident, over 250 individuals were working at the mine.

This tragic event adds to a series of workplace fatalities that have occurred within sites operated by the local unit of ArcelorMittal (MT). The unit oversees Kazakhstan’s largest steel plants, as well as multiple coal and ore mines, including the same coal mine where four miners lost their lives in August due to a fire.

Following this latest fire, the Kazakhstan government has made the decision to nationalize the local ArcelorMittal (MT) unit. However, it remains uncertain whether the government intends to compensate the company for its assets within the region.

Earlier, the government had already initiated discussions with potential investors regarding the acquisition of ArcelorMittal (MT) due to the unit’s failure to meet investment obligations and multiple safety violations.

Last year, ArcelorMittal’s (MT) Kazakh steel mill accounted for approximately 5% of the company’s total production, as reported by Bloomberg.

Details of the Tragic Incident

The coal mine fire that took place in Kazakhstan owned by ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT) has resulted in a devastating death toll of 42 individuals, with four still unaccounted for. The blaze, suspected to have been ignited by a release of methane gas, occurred while more than 250 employees were working underground.

History of Workplace Fatalities

This unfortunate incident adds to a series of tragic workplace deaths that have taken place in facilities operated by the local unit of ArcelorMittal (MT). This unit is responsible for overseeing Kazakhstan’s largest steel plants and numerous coal and ore mines, including the same coal mine where four miners perished in August due to an earlier fire.

The Decision to Nationalize

In response to this latest incident, the Kazakhstan government has announced the nationalization of the local ArcelorMittal (MT) unit. The government’s plans regarding compensation for the company’s assets in the region, however, remain unclear.

Investment Obligations and Safety Concerns

Prior to the fire, the Kazakhstan government had already initiated talks with potential investors to acquire ArcelorMittal (MT) due to the unit’s failure to meet investment obligations and repeated safety violations.

Impact on ArcelorMittal’s Production

According to Bloomberg, ArcelorMittal’s (MT) Kazakh steel mill contributed approximately 5% to the company’s total production in the previous year.

Conclusion

The tragic mine fire that resulted in the loss of lives has compelled the Kazakhstan government to nationalize the local ArcelorMittal (MT) unit. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by workers in the mining industry and the continuing importance of stringent safety measures.