Three miners trapped in northern B.C.’s Red Chris mine since Tuesday were safely rescued Thursday night, says Newmont Corp.
Miners Brought Safely to Surface After Rockfalls
Three diamond drillers trapped underground for nearly two days at the Red Chris mine in northern British Columbia were rescued Thursday night, according to Newmont Corporation. The miners were freed at approximately 10:40 p.m. local time, bringing relief to families and colleagues.
Emergency Response in Remote Mining Site
The Red Chris gold and copper mine is located on Tahltan Nation territory near Dease Lake, about 420 kilometres west of Fort Nelson. The remote site posed logistical challenges for rescue teams after two rockfalls on Tuesday morning blocked access to the workers. Officials say the drillers were about 600 metres into the lateral tunnel when the incident occurred.
Workers Identified, Families Notified
Hy-Tech Drilling, based in Smithers, B.C., identified the three drillers as Kevin Coumbs of Ontario, Darien Maduke of British Columbia, and Jesse Chubaty of Manitoba. With family consent, the company released their names publicly and requested privacy as they recover.
Survival in Refuge Chamber
According to Newmont, the workers had reached a steel refuge chamber immediately after the initial collapse. The chamber, equipped with enough air, water, and food for 16 people, sustained them while rescue teams assessed the situation. Communication was briefly established by radio before a second collapse severed contact.
Rescue Operation Details
Rescue teams used a remote-controlled scoop to clear a 30-metre debris pile blocking the tunnel. Specialized drones assisted in evaluating geotechnical risks. Ultimately, responders reopened the original access route to reach the trapped workers.
Safety Review Underway
Newmont CEO Tom Palmer announced that an independent investigation is being launched into the incident. B.C.’s Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals has also pledged a full review, with plans to publicly release its findings.
Transition to Underground Mining
The drillers were working on a future phase of the mine, part of its transition from open-pit to underground block-cave mining. Production at the site was halted during the rescue but is expected to resume following safety evaluations.
Industry and Community Reactions
Nolan Paquette of the United Steelworkers Local 1-1937, which represents hundreds of workers at Red Chris, confirmed that the drillers were preparing for block-caving operations. Community leaders and the broader mining sector are awaiting the results of the investigations to inform future safety protocols.
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