Friday July 25, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 7:30 am PT |Updated at 7:55 am & 8:10 am PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Three miners who had been trapped at Red Chris Mine in northwest BC have been rescued. The miners were truned to the surface at 10:40 pm last night (July 24).
“We are relieved to share that all three individuals are safe, and in good health and spirits,” said Newmont Corporation in an emailed statement.
“They had consistent access to food, water and ventilation whilst they remained in place in a refuge chamber underground over the last two days. They are now being supported by medical and wellness teams. Their families have been notified.”
The three personnel are all drilling consultant contractors for Hy-Tech Drilling: Kevin Coumbs, driller (of Ontario); Jesse Chubaty, driller (of Manitoba); and Darien Maduke, driller’s helper (of BC).
Fallen debris was removed from the access tunnel, says Bernard Wessels, Head of Health, Safety and Security for Newmont Corporation, in a news conference live this morning at 7:49 am PT from near Iskut, BC. That allowed for the personnel to be retrieved from the mine.
The three trapped miners had been in a refuge space behind 20 to 30 metres of rock following two ‘fall of rock’ incidents on Wednesday.
Minister’s statement:
BC Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals released a statement this morning, obviously pleased about the successful rescue of the mine workers, saying “we breathe a collective sigh of relief”.
“I want to commend the many agencies, organizations, companies and individuals who pulled together in the face of this challenge, the mine rescue teams, Newmont, The Tahltan Nation, industry and government,” said Brar in his ministerial statement.
“This is a proud day for our province, and I am so happy to know that Kevin, Darien and Jesse are healthy and well and safely back with their famiiles,” said Brar.
Brar hopes there will be lessons gleaned from the incident. The Ministry’s chief inspector has begun an investigation, the results of which will be made public, he said.
This incident comes as BC is aiming to ramp up the role of critical minerals in BC’s targeted new status as the “economic engine of Canada”, as Premier David Eby has called BC’s current realm of opportunity.
60-hour experience:
The refuge area had air, water, food and a small toilet. The refuge area was located 284 metres below ground level, said Wessels. The miners were underground for a total of about 60 hours; any mental health impacts will be assessed and dealt with, he indicated today.
All regular mining operations at Red Chris Mine had ceased so that all efforts could be focused on the rescue mission.
Red Chris mine is an open-pit copper and gold mine that has been operating since 2015. is near Dease Lake, B.C., about 420 kilometres west of Fort Nelson, B.C.
About the rescue:
Fallen debris was removed from the access tunnel, says Bernard Wessels, Head of Health, Safety and Security for Newmont Corporation, in a news conference live this morning at 7:49 am PT from near Iskut, BC. That allowed for the personnel to be retrieved from the mine.
“Everyone worked together toward this goal,” said the Hy-Tech Drilling president today via Zoom during alive news update.
“Following the rules shows what a great result was,” said Wessels. The personnel were put into ambulances as a precaution. The three had been able to sleep while in the underground refuge area. They were brought out of the refuge area “one by one” in vehicles below ground. The area was 30 metres long.
As part of rescue preparation, the area was then checked with a drone to make sure the area was geotechnically stable, said Wessels.
Underground operations will not start up again until a full investigation is done. Open-pit mine operations are unrelated and have continued, said Wessels today.
That part of the mine was started in 2023. Daily and monthly inspections are done regularly, said Wessels.
“Psychological health and safety are absolutely at the core of what we’re doing,” said Wessels about the corporate standards. He said that personnel in the incident following the rescue protocols was a big part of the success of the rescue.
“This was a carefully planned and meticulously executed rescue plan,” said Newmont in a statement today.
“We are deeply grateful for the support from our industry partners, and proud of the culture of teamwork demonstrated from our team members at both our Red Chris and Brucejack operations in British Colombia as well as across our wider global business.”
” Kevin, Darien and Jesse demonstrated the utmost dedication to our safety procedures, adhering to protocols for more than 60 hours underground. We will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and will share the lessons learned transparently across the industry,” it was stated by Newmont.
National attention:
This mining rescue event has caught national attention, the same that underground mining incidents have in the past at other locations around the world.
===== RELATED:
- Rescue of trapped miners in northern BC is underway says Premier (July 23, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: MINING & CRITICAL MINERALS | COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION