3 workers rescued from Canadian mine after 60 hours underground

ISKUT British Columbia AP Three workers who were trapped at a gold and copper mine in Western Canada have been rescued after more than hours underground Red Chris mine operator Newmont Corp noted the three men were safely brought to the surface late Thursday after being trapped underground by two rockfalls Tuesday morning Kevin Coumbs Darien Maduke and Jesse Chubaty contractors for Canada based Hy-Tech Drilling were in good strength and spirits it added This was a diligently planned and meticulously executed rescue plan Newmont stated in a comment The company based in Denver announced the rescue operation involved drones and a remote-controlled scoop that dug away a massive rockfall estimated to be to meters to feet long and seven to eight meters to feet high Once the fallen debris was cleared from the access tunnel an urgency response group was able to reach the refuge chamber where the men were trapped and bring them to the surface It announced the workers were being supported by biological and wellness teams and their families had been notified Newmont reported that the men had consistent access to food water and air while in the refuge chamber of the mine The mine is in remote northern British Columbia about miles kilometers north of Vancouver British Columbia s Mining and Critical Minerals Minister Jagrup Brar revealed in a social media post that he can t describe the relief we all feel knowing that these three workers are going to be able to go home to their families The rescue came hours after Newmont s global safety chief Bernard Wessels expressed confidence in the rescue He revealed that drones had flown over the debris blockage at the mine and discovered a stable journey to the steel safety refuge where the men were sheltering Source