Statement of US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez on the death of two miners

ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement on the death of two miners at Star Mine Operations LLC's Revenue Mine in Ouray, Colo.:

"An apparent explosives accident claimed the lives of two Colorado gold miners today, and sent other miners to the hospital. I offer my heartfelt condolences and prayers for the families of the victims and the injured. I was moved by the efforts of the first responders within the mining community–especially the mine rescue teams that were dispatched so quickly in the wake of the accident. The Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration is committed to conducting a thorough investigation of this tragedy to determine its exact cause."