Interfax reported that ArcelorMittal aims to keep in investment in the modernization of coal mines in Kazakhstan at least on a par with 2008 this year.

The company said that it invested USD 150 million in mine refurbishment and equipment in 2008, more than for several years. Investment in mines is not falling this year, despite the difficult economic situation.

The gas explosion occurred at the Tentek mine in the Karaganda region. It killed 3 of 4 workers in the coal face accident zone at the time. The remaining 90 miners on the shift were brought safely to the surface.

ArcelorMittal Temirtau said that the Tentek mine was one of those that had seen investment. It said Korfman ventilation equipment and Davis Derby automated safety control systems, among other equipment, had recently been installed.

Sunday night's accident occurred at a belt road the same one at which a methane explosion killed five of 100 miners on a shift in an accident in June 2008. A criminal case opened in connection with that explosion has not yet resulted in any charges.

ArcelorMittal Temirtau runs Kazakhstan's biggest steel mill, capacity 5.5 million tonnes per year. It also owns 15 coal and iron ore mines.

(Sourced from Interfax)