'What the response has shown is that safety protocols work,' says Newmont's safety leader
Three miners trapped underground at the Red Chris copper and gold mine in northwestern British Columbia have been safely rescued after more than 60 hours below surface.
Bernard Wessels, global group head for health, safety & security at Newmont, says the successful operation concluded late Thursday night with Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke and Jesse Chubaty returning safely to the surface. “They are being reunited with their families…we are deeply relieved that all three individuals are safe and in good health and spirits.”
Two “fall of ground” events
The ordeal began on Tuesday morning when two “fall of ground” incidents occurred in the access way to the underground work area of a non-producing project at Red Chris. The three miners, contractors from HY-TECH Drilling, were working more than 500 meters beyond the affected zone and were instructed to relocate to a designated refuge station. Shortly after, a second fall of ground blocked the access way, trapping the workers in a self-contained refuge bay equipped with food, water, and ventilation.
Wessels says the successful rescue operation is an example of safety protocols in action.
“What the response has shown is that safety protocols work. Kevin, Darien, and Jesse did exactly what they were trained to do, and because of that, they stayed safe for more than 60 hours until we could bring them to surface and home.”
The rescue: technical precision and teamwork
The rescue was a meticulously planned and executed operation. Around the clock, specialized teams worked to clear debris and stabilize the tunnel. “Our specialized line of sight scoop successfully cleared the fallen debris from the access tunnel where the area stabilized,” says Wessels. Upon reaching the refuge chamber, the team found the miners in stable condition. “They were immediately supported by medical and wellness teams as we pre-planned,” explains Wessels.
Dwayne Ross, President of HY-TECH Drilling, praised the collaborative effort.“Just the amount of positivity, focus, everyone was concise. Communication was great. Everyone truly worked together in this effort with the same goal, and I think we’re all very thankful that it’s a great, positive outcome.”
Health, safety, and next steps
The miners were reported to be in good spirits and healthy, with immediate access to medical and psychological support. “The first comment was ‘we got a chance to pick up some of our sleep’… they were in healthy spirits. But I think you don’t want to just take that for granted. Today is more important for them to spend time with their families, and we will certainly have the available counseling and anything that they need from us as,” Wessels notes.
Newmont has suspended all underground operations at Red Chris pending a comprehensive investigation. “The underground project will not start up until we have completed the full investigation on this incident, and we fully understand that so that we can build those lessons into the future,” Wessels confirms.
Lessons for health and safety leaders
Wessels also addressed health and safety leaders directly:
“My message is, the protocols and the design that we have in industry, those are there to keep people safe, and if we have the discipline these three showed, I think the result will be positive.”
This incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous safety protocols, effective emergency planning, and cross-company collaboration. The successful outcome was the result of “timeless collaboration, technical precision and above all, safety and care,” Wessels says, extending gratitude to all involved.
As the mining industry awaits the results of the investigation and the sharing of lessons learned, the Red Chris rescue stands as a testament to the power of preparation, teamwork, and adherence to safety protocols.
