Colombia coal mine explosion kills 9 workers

A coal mine explosion in Colombia’s central Cundinamarca province killed nine workers, only weeks after regulators sounded the alarm about gas risks at the site.

The blast occurred at the La Ciscuda mine, operated by Carbonera Los Pinos, leaving six others injured who were taken to a regional hospital, the national mining agency (ANM) said.

“As the ANM has warned during its inspection visits, coal deposits can present accumulations of gases such as methane, as well as concentrations of coal dust,” the agency said. “They can become dangerous if not properly controlled.”

The six workers who survived were taken to a regional hospital for treatment.

The incident underscores persistent safety challenges in Colombia’s coal mining sector, where accidents remain common, particularly at smaller or poorly regulated operations, even as the country ranks among the world’s top thermal coal exporters led by Glencore’s (LON: GLEN) Cerrejón mine.