A tense rescue operation is underway in northern British Columbia as officials work to free three miners trapped underground at the Red Chris mine. The incident occurred on Tahltan Nation territory, where a mine collapse has left the workers isolated by a significant debris field, estimated to be between 20 to 30 meters long and 7 to 8 meters high.
The miners, identified as Darien Maduke (BC), Kevin Coumbs (Ontario), and Jesse Chubaty (Manitoba) – all contractors for Hy-Tech Drilling – have been unable to communicate with the surface as Wednesday, following a second cave-in.Mining firm Newmont confirmed that while the crew has sufficient air, food, and water for an extended period, dialog was lost after the initial incident on Tuesday morning.
Rescue efforts are prioritizing re-establishing contact with the trapped individuals and assessing the safest method to clear the extensive debris. Specialized drones have been deployed to survey the underground conditions, and natural airflow is reportedly reaching the refuge area where the miners are sheltering. The workers are understood to be in a minearc refuge chamber, designed for 16 people, with additional chambers accessible nearby if needed.
Newmont stated that the initial collapse occurred near the workers’ location, prompting them to move to a sealed underground area. Though, a subsequent fall of ground further obstructed their access route.Production at the open-pit copper and gold mine, established in 2014, has been temporarily suspended to facilitate the ongoing rescue mission.
