A former Colorado gold mine where a tour guide was killed and a group of tourists was trapped for hours after an elevator accident has been ordered to remain closed and not conduct tours while its operations are reviewed, state regulators said Thursday.
In a statement, the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety said the decision to close the Mollie Kathleen Mine was made following an inspection after the Oct. 10 incident. The agency must determine if the death of Patrick Weier, 46, was a result of the mine not complying with regulations, division spokesperson Chris Arend said.
The official notice sent to the mine on Wednesday cited a regulation that allows the division to shut down a mine used as a tourist attraction if it finds an "imminent or substantial danger" to workers or the public. The mine had already been set to close for the winter starting this week.
No one answered the telephone at the mine on Thursday. Its website said it would be closed until further notice.
Authorities have not explained exactly how Weier died, but Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell has said his death was related to a mechanical issue with the elevator and not a medical problem.
