3 Miners Trapped at Red Chris Mine in B.C.; Rescue Operation Underway

A large-scale rescue operation is in progress in northern British Columbia after three miners became trapped underground at the Red Chris mine, an open-pit copper and gold site located on Tahltan Nation territory near Dease Lake.

What Happened?

Premier David Eby said the incident happened Tuesday morning. Two “fall-of-ground” events—collapses of mine tunnel walls—blocked access to the underground area where the miners were working.

The three men—two from British Columbia and one from Ontario—managed to reach a refuge station. This is a secure, self-contained space built for emergencies.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Eby said, “Our rescue teams are world-class, and every effort is being made to bring these men home safely.”

Where Are the Miners?

A source familiar with the operation said the workers were about 600 metres into a lateral tunnel. They were roughly 400 metres beyond the site of the first collapse.

Rescuers made contact after the initial collapse. However, a second fall blocked access further and cut off communication with the team.

Officials believe the miners remain in a refuge bay equipped with food, water, and ventilation. The bay can support up to 16 people for at least three days.

Who Are the Workers?

The three individuals are contractors from Hy-Tech Drilling, a Smithers-based company that operates in mines worldwide. The company has chosen not to release their names out of respect for the families.

United Steelworkers Local 1-1937, which represents about 450 workers at Red Chris, confirmed the trapped individuals are not union members. They were drilling a hole in preparation for block-cave mining, a new underground phase tied to the mine’s expansion.

The Mine and Its Expansion

Owned and operated by Colorado-based Newmont Corp., the Red Chris mine has been active since 2015. The mine is transitioning from open-pit to underground block caving, a process that involves accessing ore deposits from below.

This project is one of 18 resource developments that the B.C. government is fast-tracking to reduce economic reliance on the United States amid tariff concerns. However, Newmont plans to maintain its consultation protocols with the Tahltan Nation, even as it accelerates the project timeline.

What’s Next?

Newmont has halted all other operations at Red Chris to focus entirely on the rescue effort. The company is assessing multiple options and technologies to restore communication and safely extract the trapped miners.

Shawn Rideout, chief mine rescue officer at Workplace Safety North, said he remains “very confident” in the rescue mission, citing the expertise of B.C.’s mining teams.

Premier Eby echoed this sentiment: “B.C. miners are the best in the world… our rescue teams are exceptional.”

Do regulators enforce mine safety rules strictly enough to prevent incidents like this—especially during expansion projects?

More…

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/miners-red-chris-mine-bc-dease-lake-1.7592096
• https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6843091
• https://vancouversun.com/news/overnight-accident-traps-three-miners-in-northern-bc-red-chris-mine