The three workers trapped underground at Red Chris Mine in Northwest B.C. have been confirmed as employees of Smithers-based Hy-Tech Drilling, the company said in a press release tonight (July 23).
The release said the employees were working on a non-producing project at the site when a ground fall incident occurred on July 22.
Newmont Mining, the mine's operator, confirmed the event earlier today, after the B.C. premier David Eby mentioned it in a news conference at the Council of the Federation First Ministers meeting this morning.
Newmont stated they were in contact with the workers after a first cave-in occurred, and they had safely made their way to a refuge area before a second incident cut off communications.
"We are working closely with Newmont and emergency response partners to support every aspect of the ongoing efforts," Hy-Tech said in the release. "Our Critical Incident Response (CIR) Team is fully activated. Hy-Tech leadership is on site, and we remain in direct contact with the families of those involved."
The company said it would share verified updates as they become available.
Hy-Tech signed on with Newmont in January of this year, in what they touted as the company's largest contract to date. It is a five-year agreement to provide underground and surface core drilling for both the Red Chris and nearby Brucejack mines.
