Hecla Halts Silver Mine to Search for Worker After Collapse
By Sonja Elmquist - Apr 18, 2011 4:32 PM ET

Hecla Mining Co. (HL), the largest U.S. silver producer, halted work at the Lucky Friday mine in Northern Idaho after a roof collapse left a worker missing.

Miner Larry Marek, 53 is unaccounted for after the April 15 accident in a tunnel about a mile underground, Hecla said today in a statement. A 10-foot-high by 20-foot-wide section of the mine’s roof fell where two miners were working, the company said. The other employee is safe, Hecla said in a separate statement on its website. Hecla plans to begin using a remote- controlled earth-mover today to dig toward the collapsed area.

“Our current focus is 100 percent directed to rescuing the miner and ensuring the safety of the rescue team,â€