Man falls to death in Argao coal mine

A COAL miner fell to his death in a mine shaft in barangay Balaas, Argao town, south Cebu.

Eutiquio Sandoval, 37, of Argao, was doing maintenance work in shaft 1 of the GAA Coal Mining/Alta Tierra Mining and Development Corp. when he accidentally fell 60 meters below.

The coal mine was about 360 meters deep, according to Eutiquio’s brother Felimon who was with him when the accident occurred past 7 p.m. on Monday.

The mine is owned by by 2nd district Provincial Board member Wilfredo Caminero.

Filemon said the accident was not reported immediately to the police because the family thought it was unnecessary since it was an accident.

Felimon said they were about to board the cable cart locally known as bagon when Eutiquio slipped and fell, resulting in severe head injuries.

Caminero said he was saddened by the death of the miner, who had worked there for nine years.

Caminero assured that Eutiquio’s family will get assistance and other benefits.

He said the victim and other miners there were receiving proper benefits from the company such as SSS coverage.

A television report said the Department of Energy had suspended the operation of the mine following the accident.

Caminero said even before the order from DOE, the operation was suspended as standard procedure.

Caminero said while waiting for the go signal from DOE when to operate again, he instructed the 300 other miners to still report so they can be paid a salary./CORRESPONDENT JHUNNEX NAPALLACAN