Rescue teams worked tirelessly on Thursday, July 24, 2025, to free three miners trapped underground at the Red Chris mine in northwest British Columbia, Canada. The miners had been stuck for two days following two significant rockfalls that blocked access to their location deep within the mine.
The Red Chris mine, an open-pit copper and gold operation constructed in 2014 on Tahltan Nation territory, had recently begun development on an underground block-cave mining project. This shift, approved earlier this year, involves collapsing large ore deposits to facilitate extraction, marking a new chapter for the mine's operation which is licensed to produce until 2038.
The incident began on the morning of Tuesday, July 22, when a section of the underground mine collapsed near where the three workers were conducting development work. These miners, identified as Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke, and Jesse Chubaty, were contractors employed by Hy-Tech Drilling, a British Columbia-based drilling company. Two of the miners are from British Columbia, and one hails from Ontario, according to Premier David Eby.
At the time of the first collapse, the trio was working more than 500 meters beyond the affected zone. They quickly relocated to a MineARC refuge chamber—a sealed, self-contained safe haven designed to support up to 16 people. This chamber provided them with sufficient air, food, water, and ventilation to endure an extended stay underground, even after a second rockfall further blocked their movement the following day.
Communication with the miners was initially established after the first collapse, confirming their safety and relocation to the refuge. However, after the second cave-in on Wednesday, July 23, contact was lost, prompting specialized rescue efforts to restore communication and reach the trapped workers.
Newmont Corp., the mine operator, reported that specialized drones had been deployed to assess the geotechnical conditions underground. Meanwhile, rescue teams utilized a remote-controlled scoop to begin removing the massive pile of debris blocking access. This heap of rock and rubble measured between 20 to 30 meters (65 to 100 feet) in length and 7 to 8 meters (22 to 26 feet) in height, presenting a formidable obstacle.
Operations at the mine were immediately suspended to focus all resources on the rescue mission. Newmont spokeswoman Shannon Brushe explained that the miners were conducting development work supporting the underground project, separate from the mine's ongoing production activities.
Throughout the rescue operation, Newmont emphasized that all appropriate emergency protocols were activated swiftly. Premier Eby expressed confidence in the rescue teams, noting, "Newmont and rescue teams were working overtime to bring these miners home to their families." He also mentioned that the miners appeared uninjured, a hopeful sign amid the tense situation.
On Thursday night, the rescue was successfully completed. The three miners were brought to the surface safe and sound, described by Newmont as being in "good health and spirits." Medical teams were on hand to support them, and their families were promptly informed of the positive outcome.
The rescue operation at Red Chris mine highlights the critical importance of safety measures such as refuge chambers in underground mining. These chambers can mean the difference between life and death in emergencies, providing a secure environment until help arrives.
A full investigation into the cause of the collapses is planned, aiming to understand what led to the rockfalls and how future incidents can be prevented. The mining community, local authorities, and the Tahltan Nation will undoubtedly follow this investigation closely, given the mine's significance to the region's economy and Indigenous lands.
While the Red Chris mine has been primarily an open-pit operation since its inception, the transition to block-cave underground mining represents a shift toward more complex and potentially riskier methods. The incident underscores the challenges involved in such transitions and the necessity for rigorous safety protocols.
In the end, the successful rescue of Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke, and Jesse Chubaty stands as a testament to the resilience of the miners and the dedication of the rescue teams. It also serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers in mining and the ongoing need for vigilance and innovation in safety practices.
As the mine prepares to resume operations following the investigation, the focus will undoubtedly remain on ensuring that such an incident does not recur, protecting the lives of all who work beneath the surface.
