On the evening of October 21, 2025, a sense of dread swept through the rural hills northwest of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. Word had spread quickly: a portion of the vast zinc and copper mine in the Cerros of Maimón had partially collapsed, trapping at least 80 miners deep underground. As families gathered anxiously at the mine’s entrance, rescue crews launched a dramatic operation that would grip the nation—and ultimately deliver a rare happy ending in the world of mining disasters.
The incident unfolded at the Cerro of Maimón mine, an expansive operation covering 5,547 acres and boasting reserves of about 6 million tons of copper and zinc minerals. Operated by the Dominican Mining Corp., a subsidiary of the Australian company Perilya, the mine has been a significant economic engine for the region since the concession was acquired from Falconbridge Dominicana in April 2002. Yet, as history has shown, the rewards of mining often come with substantial risks.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the collapse occurred when a portion of the mine gave way, sealing off the miners from the outside world. The Ministry’s official statement, as reported by the Associated Press, confirmed the gravity of the situation: “The miners became trapped when a portion of a zinc and copper mine in the Cerros of Maimón collapsed.” For hours, the fate of the miners remained uncertain, with relatives and colleagues holding vigil in the cool night air, their faces etched with worry and hope.
As rescue teams raced against time, officials assured the public that the miners had been located in a designated safe area underground. “All miners were located underground in a safe area and were being lifted to upper ground,” the Ministry stated. The operation was delicate and fraught with risk, but the crews pressed on relentlessly, determined to avoid the tragedies that had befallen the mine in previous years.
For many, the ordeal revived memories of past incidents at the same site. Local media recalled that in December 2021, a miner lost his life in a collapse—a somber reminder of the inherent dangers faced by those who work below the earth’s surface. The following year, in 2022, two workers, one Dominican and one Colombian, were trapped by an underground landslide for several days before being rescued. Those earlier events cast a long shadow over the current crisis, heightening the collective anxiety of the community and underscoring the urgency of the rescue efforts.
Throughout the night and into the next day, rescue crews worked tirelessly to bring the trapped miners to safety. The operation was coordinated by the Civil Defense Agency, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and mining company officials, all of whom understood the stakes. The mine’s remote location—set in the rugged Cerros of Maimón, far from the bustle of Santo Domingo—added logistical challenges to an already perilous mission. Heavy machinery, expert engineers, and first responders converged on the site, supported by a constant stream of updates to the waiting families.
As dawn broke on October 22, the first rays of sunlight brought relief and jubilation. One by one, the miners were lifted from the depths, emerging into the arms of their loved ones. Not a single injury or fatality was reported—a remarkable outcome in a profession where such incidents too often end in tragedy. As the Associated Press confirmed, “No one was injured or killed, according to the Civil Defense Agency.” The successful rescue was a testament to the skill and determination of the emergency crews, as well as to the resilience of the miners themselves.
The story quickly made headlines across the Dominican Republic and beyond. According to The Nightly, “At least 80 miners are trapped in the Dominican Republic with rescue efforts underway, government officials say.” The publication detailed the tense hours as the miners were located in a safe underground area and gradually brought to the surface. Meanwhile, Devdiscourse described the scene as a “race against time,” with families waiting anxiously for news and rescue teams laboring under immense pressure.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the broader issue of mining safety in the Dominican Republic and around the world. The Cerros of Maimón mine is no stranger to danger, as past incidents have shown. The collapse on October 21 serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the mining sector, where even the most advanced operations are not immune to disaster. As Devdiscourse put it, “the collapse highlights ongoing safety challenges in the mining sector.”
Yet, for now, the focus remains on the miners who survived and the families who welcomed them home. The images of relieved loved ones embracing their rescued relatives have become symbols of hope and perseverance—a testament to the human spirit in the face of adversity. The successful outcome has also prompted calls for renewed vigilance and investment in mine safety, with many urging authorities and companies to learn from the past and prevent future tragedies.
For the Dominican Mining Corp. and its parent company, Perilya, the incident is both a cautionary tale and a moment of reckoning. The mine’s vast reserves and economic importance cannot be understated, but neither can the responsibility to protect those who risk their lives to extract its riches. As the dust settles and the miners recover, there will undoubtedly be investigations and reviews aimed at understanding what went wrong—and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Back in the rural communities that surround the Cerros of Maimón, life is slowly returning to normal. The mine, with its towering equipment and deep shafts, remains a source of both livelihood and apprehension. For the families who spent a harrowing night waiting for news, the experience has left an indelible mark. Yet, as they gather around kitchen tables and in village squares, the overwhelming sentiment is one of gratitude—for the rescuers, for the miners’ courage, and for the outcome that, this time, was cause for celebration rather than mourning.
In a world where mining disasters often end in heartbreak, the rescue of 80 miners in the Dominican Republic stands out as a rare victory. The events of October 21 and 22, 2025, will be remembered not only for the fear and uncertainty they brought, but also for the resilience and solidarity that carried a community through its darkest hours and into the light.
