Three miners are trapped underground in northern British Columbia after a mine collapse. Rescue officials are working to free them. The miners have been stuck since Tuesday morning. They are located at the Red Chris mine. The incident occurred on Tahltan Nation territory.
Miners Sheltering in Refuge Chamber Amid Rescue Efforts
Three miners are trapped underground in British Columbia following a mine collapse, with rescue operations underway.
- Three miners are trapped underground in northern British Columbia after a mine collapse.
- They are in a refuge chamber with supplies.
- Communication was lost on Wednesday after a second cave-in.
- Rescue efforts are prioritizing communication and debris removal.
- Production at the Red Chris mine has been suspended.
The miners, identified as Darien Maduke from British Columbia, Kevin Coumbs from Ontario, and Jesse Chubaty from Manitoba, are contractors for Hy-Tech Drilling. They were working more than 500 meters beyond an affected zone when an initial collapse occurred. The group then relocated to a designated refuge station, but a subsequent fall of ground blocked their access way, trapping them.
The debris pile trapping the miners is estimated to be 20 to 30 meters long and 7 to 8 meters high. Officials confirmed the trapped workers have access to enough supplies for an extended stay. Natural air is also flowing to their refuge area. The mine operator stated the miners are sheltering in a MineARC refuge chamber designed for 16 people, with additional chambers accessible nearby if needed.
Communication with the three workers was lost on Wednesday, the day after the initial incident, following a second cave-in. As of Thursday evening, rescue priorities include re-establishing communication, assessing the safest way to clear the debris, and drilling. Specialized drones have been deployed to evaluate the underground conditions.
The Red Chris mine, located approximately 420 kilometers west of Fort Nelson, is an open-pit copper and gold mine that was constructed in 2014. Production at the mine has been suspended for the duration of the rescue operation.
