(AP) — Cargill is closing a salt mine where a roof collapse in mid-December killed two workers.
The company says in a statement that it was already planning to cease operations at the Avery Island mine by the end of this year because the lease ends at that time.
It’s one of three salt mines Cargill operates around the country.
The salt is used to keep roads free of ice during winter.
Eighteen people were working in the mine when the roof collapsed Dec. 14.
Rescuers found the two victims the next day.
The company says it will take until 2024 to fully close the mine.