The mine where 12 workers lost their lives in 2006 has been closed.

By Jesse Russell

The decision to close the Sago mine was announced a day after the United Mineworkers issued a report that condemned the policies of the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the mine operator. The union said in a letter that the “union has determined that the most likely cause of the explosion was the conditions contained solely within the sealed area of the mine where the explosion occurred.” The letter goes on to say that if safety was put first then the 12 men who died in the 2006 blast would still be alive today. Mine operator International Coal Group said the reason for shuttering the mine at this time had nothing to do with the letter from the union. They said high production coasts and weak coal sales were the primary reason. ICG lost 9.3 million dollars last year.