(EnergyAsia, March 7 2012, Wednesday) — Mechel OAO, a leading Russian mining and metals companies, said a subsidiary has suspended operations at the New-Olzherassk underground mine in Siberia for the second time in less than a month.

Southern Kuzbass Coal Company OAO stopped work after detecting high levels of carbon monoxide at the mine’s long wall face # 21-1-7 as a result of coal self-heating. Its engineers are working to eliminate self-heating which was uncovered after remote sampling warned about the high carbon monoxide content in the production area.

Mechel said the mine’s infrastructure including its transport, ventilation system, dewatering, power facilities and roadheaders have been declared in safe working condition.

Despite the work suspension, Mechel said customers will continue to receive their coal supplies as there is enough coal at the New-Olzherassk warehouse to meet contractual obligations. The mine, which was briefly suspended last month for safety inspection, has produced more than 250,000 tonnes of coal this year.