Nevada gold mine halts operations

A gold mine in Nevada, USA, is to cease operations following a catastrophic year in which three miners died in separate incidents.

Kenny Barbosa, Mike Millican and Curtis Johnson were all killed in the Getchell mine during 2007 in a cave-in, a vehicle accident and a rockfall respectively and the mine's owners have now said that they are unwilling to continue with the explorations amid such incidents.

"I just couldn't put our people through any more of this. We never thought anything like this could happen to us once, let alone three times," said Small Mine Development chief Ron Guill, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.

Barrick Gold Corporation, which has 75 per cent interest in the venture, said that the operations have ceased until it can be determined if the mine can operate safely.

Those interested in buying gold may be interested in the news, which comes amid a steady stream of gold mine closures and reduced output. This could increase prices for the precious metal.

Nevada is the world's fourth-largest gold producer after China, South Africa and Australia.

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