Giant deathhole in Russia

A large hole was discovered near the mine in Perm region of Russia, causing concern for local people.

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Workers at Uralkali's Solikamsk-2 mine for the first time discovered the death hole on November 18. It is about 20-30m wide and more than three kilometers east of Solikamsk-2 mine.

Deathhole near the mine Solikamsk-2.(Photo: Uralkali)

People worry that the hole will become bigger and bigger and swallow their houses. However, Uralkali's representative stated that the death hole does not have a big impact on the company's activities as well as local people. Authorities say the hole will expand up to 50-60m, but not dangerous.

Before the death pit appeared near the town of Solikamsk, the company evacuated all workers when the Solikamsk-2 mine was flooded with salt water. All activities in this area are discontinued and the water table is being monitored.

Solikamsk-2 connected to the abandoned mine Solikamsk-1. Meanwhile, the town of Solikamsk lies entirely on the Solikamsk-1 mine. The tunnel connecting the two places was blocked many years ago, but if Solikamsk-1 was flooded, the whole town would have to be evacuated.

According to RT, experts are studying the impact on the road connecting the two mines, preventing flooding in Solikamsk-1.

Similar incidents have affected many of Uralkali's facilities. The company's oldest mining floodwater closed in 2006, and formed a large pit in the town of Berezniki. Another death hole appeared in Berezniki in 2011, with a crater of 137m wide and less than a kilometer from a residential area.