Another miner has been injured in the galleries of the Albchrome mines in Bulqize.
Spokesperson of the Diber police, Bora Mikli confirmed that the incident took place at the 18th level of the mine, during the first shift.
This is the latest in a total of six injuries that have taken place in the mines since the start of 2021. At the end of February, a 49-year-old father of four was killed in the mine bringing the total killed in the last three years to 18. Around 100 have been badly injured but experts told BIRN that many minor or moderate injuries are not reported.
Despite the concerning death and injury rate, no individual or company has faced any charges to date. Furthermore, administrative fines decreased from EUR 43,000 in 2019 to just EUR 7500 in 2020.
The Union of United Miners of Bulqize said the miner has worked there for 30 years and is out of danger for life. The Union demanded “a serious investigation into the accident and the technical safety conditions”. They added that this is not a rare or isolated case.
“Despite propaganda for ‘extraordinary investments’, Albchrome has been transformed from a chrome mine to an accident mine,” the statement said.
Albchrome wrote about the accident: “He suffered only a fracture of the index finger of one hand and is expected to return to work very soon.”
The company, owned by businessman Saimir Mane has often placed the blame on the miners, in some cases eliciting letters of admission of fault.
