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Cargill Deicing Technology announced Monday that the Cayuga Salt Mine has reopened after work was halted when 17 mine employees were trapped 900 feet below ground.  The mine has been closed since the incident occurred January 7th.  Company officials say the mine staff will spend the next several days performing equipment inspections and other preparation work before resuming underground mining.

“Our employees have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from Lansing and surrounding communities,” said Lansing Mine Manager Shawn Wilczynski.  “We extend appreciation of every person, local business and agency who contributed to our efforts.  I can’t find enough words to capture my gratitude for how our community has supported us. Thanks for everyone’s support through this process."

The mine is 2300 feet deep, almost twice the height of the Empire State Building. The elevator became stuck at 900', about 17% of a mile below ground.At 2300 feet deep, the Lansing mine is the deepest salt mine in the United States.  The mine employs 200 people on three shifts, most working on two shifts.  17 of these employees were on their way to work the late shift around 10pm on January 7th when a bracket that holds one of two guide rails broke, causing the elevator to become stuck.  The miners spent ten hours in freezing cold weather while company employees and emergency responders worked to bring them back to the surface.  A special crane was deployed that had the capacity to lower a rescue basket as much as 1000 feet.  None of the 17 mine employees were injured.

Cargill officials say the reason it took almost two months to reopen the mine is that a thorough inspection of close to a half mile deep mine shaft was required before repairs could be made.  The elevator inspection was undertaken under the oversight of the U.S. Mine Safety & Health Administration.

“Safety is at the forefront of who we are and what we do,” Wilczynski said.

During the time the mine was closed employees continued to receive pay and benefits.  The mild winter and an ample stock of salt insured the company was able to supply road salt to its customers.

"Road salt supplies should remain sufficient for the rest of the winter with the mine’s resumed production later this week," a company spokesman said Monday.

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