Rescue Operations at Newmont Corporation’s Red Chris Mine have concluded successfully, with all three of the trapped workers safely returned to the surface last night.
Newmont Corporation says the group emerged late Thursday night at 10:40pm. Earlier in the evening. Around 8:30pm, the company’s line-of-sight scoop, brought in from Brucejack Mine on Wednesday, had successfully cleared the fallen debris from the access tunnel, allowing crews to approach the refuge where the workers had been sheltered.
The Emergency Response Team had used a vehicle equipped with a Falling Object Protective System to advance through the area affected by the ground falls. Upon reaching the shelter the team found the three workers, now identified as Hy-Tech Drilling employees Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke and Jesse Chubaty, in stable condition. The group then made their way to the surface one at a time, accompanied by the rescue team.
Newmont said the successful rescue was ‘the result of tireless collaboration, technical expertise, and above all, safety and care.’ The company adds that they are working to support Kevin, Darien, and Jesse as they recover.
Rescue efforts involved resources and personnel from multiple companies, including Nutrien Potash Mine Rescue team, Thyssen Mining, Redpath, the New Gold/New Afton Mine Rescue team, The Tunneling Company, and Timberland Equipment. Newmont said each company were quick to react, and did not hesitate to support the rescue.
The company also gave a special shoutout to the Tahltan Nation for their continuous support, and to Kevin, Darien, Jesse themselves – with Bernard Wessels, Newmont’s Global Head of Health Safety & Security noting that their strict adherence to protocol and quick actions on the morning of July 22nd kept them safe, and ‘proved that safety protocols work.’ Wessels said the company will never forget the courage they had shown, or the unity they inspired.
The three workers have been reunited with their families today, after being assessed on site by medical personnel.
An investigation into what caused the collapse will begin in the near future, with Newmont confirming they will be sharing lessons learned from the incident with the industry. The company also confirmed that this ‘fall-of-ground’ event was unexpected, as regular inspections had taken place within the tunnel with and no issues had been noticed until the early Morning of July 22nd. Signs of instability had been noticed by the three workers after the were already inside the tunnel; with Wessels confirming they had immediately reported the issue, and as per protocol, moved to the refuge site 700 meters within the tunnel.
The thee workers had been underground, 290 meters below the surface, since 6am Tuesday morning, for a total of more than 60 hours.
This article has been updated to include more details about the rescue operation.
Comments