The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has shut down a major portion of the Glenwood Springs limestone quarry operated by Rocky Mountain Industrials (RMI) in Glenwood Springs, Colo., following a rockslide incident, according to an article in the Post Independent.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management Upper Colorado River District spokesman Eric Coulter said that a BLM geologist and inspectors from MSHA visited the site on Transfer Trail following the Jan. 18 incident to assess the situation.
No one was injured in the slide, in which a 200-ft. section of the quarry highwall gave way and sent a mass of large rocks and dirt tumbling down to where several pieces of mining equipment were located.
“BLM continues to coordinate with MSHA, Colorado Division of Reclamation and RMI,” Coulter said. “Safety and resource protection remain the top concerns for BLM.”
In response, MSHA issued a cease and desist order for operations on the production bench and highwall where the rockfall occurred, Coulter said. The agencies will continue to assess and determine next steps, he said.
“We will keep the public informed of any changes to BLM management of permitted operations at the quarry,” Coulter said.
RMI representatives have not commented on the incident.