MULLAN, Idaho-- It has been more than three months since the mine safety and health administration shut down the Lucky Friday Mine in Mullan, Idaho. This put hundreds of miners and contractors out of work.
KREM 2's Cole heath went to Mullan to see how the closure has impacted the community.
People in downtown Mullan say there is a noticeable difference since the lucky mine shut down several months ago. They say cars aren't driving through the streets and people aren't out and about after, what some people call, the heart of the community, stopped beating
William Beckett has been working the grill at the coyote cafe in Mullan for about a year.
In that time he's seen the Lucky Friday right up the road thrive and shut down. Now potentially hundreds of miners are out of a job. “I have seen some of the regulars that I know work out the mine that would come in, I don't see them.”
We’re told many folks have left town after MSHA closed the mine in January due to several safety violations.
Beckett says he's seen how the temporary closure has impacted his miner-customers. “Some of them are on food stamps now; some in the community from what I see is taken away a lot of pride.”
We’re told contractors and miners alike are working deep underground to clear out the mines shaft that originally lead to the mines closure. Hecla employees wouldn't tell us if they’re ahead or behind schedule
