Reports: Star Mine Operations Totals Nearly 100 Citations

OURAY, Colo. (CBS4)- The mine where two men lost their lives in November has racked up nearly 100 citations, according to published reports.

The Montrose Daily Press reports that Star Mines Operations has received nearly 100 citations since the two miners died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Nick Cappanno, 34, of Montrose and Rick Williams, 59, of Durango were killed at the start of their shift Nov. 17 at the Revenue-Virginius mine near Ouray in southwestern Colorado.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration issued the citations after the accident. The violations ranged from housekeeping issues to problems with ventilation and escape routes.

The mine dates to the 1870s and was taken over by its current owner, Denver-based Star Mine Operations, in 2011. The company, which also has a mine in Cerro Blanco, Peru, received a permit to resume mining at the site near Ouray in February 2013. All the mining is done by drilling and blasting, according to state regulators.