Flyrock Blasters Suspended

• (Kentucky)  Two blasters indentified as responsible for two flyrock events on Tuesday, July 26 were suspended Wednesday by the Department for Natural Resources. No injuries were reported from the blasts but property was damaged. The first flyrock occurred at around 11 a.m. Tuesday at an ICG Hazard mine in Perry County.  One rock entered a home through the roof, exited through a side wall near the roof and struck a vehicle parked at the home. The second flyrock occurred around 1:20 p.m. at a Beech Fork coal operation in Pike County causing a rock to penetrate the roof of another home. Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement personnel were immediately dispatched to both locations to investigate. Notices of Noncompliance (NNC) and Imminent Danger Cessation Orders (IDCO) were issued to the respective companies and the blasters. DNR ordered a cessation of all blasting related activities on the permit areas.  Blast remediation plans must be submitted to DNR for review before blasting can resume.