U.S. Silver Responds to MSHA Accident Report
U.S. Silver Corporation (TSX-V: USA, US OTCQX: USSIF, Frankfurt: QE2)
('US Silver? or 'the Company?) notes that the United States Department
of Labor Mine Safety and Health Administration ('MSHA?) has issued its
final Report of Investigation ('Report?) relating to the June 18, 2010
fatal accident involving a United Mine Service employee at the Galena
mine.
US Silver believes that MSHA′s Report contains critical factual errors.
These errors have produced invalid conclusions as to the cause of the
accident. For instance, there were scaling bars of proper length in the
stope and the miners conducted their work underneath supported ground,
which did not fail. An independent examination by an eminent rock
mechanics expert concluded that the Company had completed everything
that was required of it to protect the miner. US Silver shares this
view. It is the Company′s firm belief that the position of the victim
relative to the rock fall location demonstrates that the accident was
not caused by a failure of ground support or use of an improper tool.
As a result of the Report′s inaccuracies, the Company has provided to
MSHA a detailed written objection with the assistance of experienced
legal counsel. US Silver has formally contested the citations issued by
MSHA related to the accident. Those citations will be litigated before
an Administrative Law Judge for the Federal Mine Health and Safety
Review Commission and the Company will vigorously defend its position. A
copy of US Silver′s full response can be viewed at the Company′s website
at www.us-silver.com\MSHAObjection\US_Silver_Response.pdf
US Silver′s number one priority is, and always has been, the safety of
mine personnel. The Galena community continues to be deeply saddened by
the death of friend and co-worker Tim Bush.
ABOUT U.S. SILVER CORPORATION
U.S. Silver, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns and/or operates
the Galena, Coeur, Caladay and Dayrock silver-lead-copper mines in
Shoshone County, Idaho, with the Galena mine being the second most
prolific silver mine in US history. Total silver production from U.S.
Silver's mining complex has exceeded 217 million ounces of silver
production since 1953. U.S. Silver controls a land package now totaling
approximately 14,000 acres in the heart of the Coeur d'Alene Mining
District. U.S. Silver is focused on expanding the production from
existing operations as well as exploring and developing its extensive
Silver Valley holdings in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain information in this press release may contain
forward-looking statements. This information is based on current
expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties
that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially
from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to
update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected
in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by
securities laws applicable to the Company. Additional information
identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the
Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are
available at www.sedar.com.
U.S. Silver Corporation
CEO
Tom Parker, 208-752-0400
or
CFO
Chris
Hopkins, 416-907-9539