Workers return to mine following evacuation

Employees of a New Mexico mine returned to work after the facility was evacuated for three days following a possible gas leak from a nearby oil and gas well.

The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports the air quality was tested on Tuesday at the Mosaic Company’s Carlsbad potash facility after employees were evacuated Monday, and the mine was again cleared as a “precautionary” measure.

It was kept closed Wednesday as the company continued to test the quality of the air in the underground mine.

Mosaic spokesman Tyler Hopson says the facility received a warning call from a nearby operator Monday evening of a safety “concern” at the nearby well.

Hopson refused to name the operator, and was unsure about the well’s distance from the mine.

Hopson says no safety incidents were reported at the site.