Rescuers freed three miners on Thursday night after they spent two days trapped underground at the Red Chris copper and gold mine in northern British Columbia. A collapse had blocked their exit earlier in the week.
Newmont Corporation (TSE: NGT) (NYSE: NEM) (FRA: NMM), the mine’s operator, said the men were “in good health and spirits.” The collapse occurred on Tuesday in an area of the mine located on Tahltan Nation territory, about 420 kilometres west of Fort Nelson.
The trapped workers—Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke, and Jesse Chubaty—were contractors for BC-based Hy-Tech Drilling. They found safety in a refuge chamber stocked with food, water, and ventilation. The chamber, designed to support 16 people, gave them a secure place to wait while rescue teams cleared the main access tunnel.
Initially, a cave-in blocked the area near where the trio had been working. They moved quickly to a sealed area underground. However, a second collapse on Wednesday further obstructed their movement. Officials worked to re-establish communication before launching a rescue mission on Thursday.
Medical teams are now supporting the workers. Families were notified shortly after the successful rescue. Newmont has confirmed that operations at the Red Chris mine were suspended during the rescue. Authorities will conduct a full investigation into the incident.
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Newmont has also expanded into Nevada
Newmont Corporation, the world’s leading gold producer, maintains a broad portfolio of mining operations across several continents. In Canada, the company expanded its presence by acquiring a 70 per cent stake in the Red Chris mine in 2019, partnering with Imperial Metals.
In addition to Red Chris, Newmont owns the Éléonore gold mine in Quebec and is involved in the Coffee Gold Project in the Yukon. These holdings reflect Newmont’s growing interest in Canadian exploration and development.
Furthermore, Newmont operates across other key regions, including Australia, Ghana, Peru, and Argentina. It focuses not only on gold but also on copper production, especially in assets like Red Chris and the Boddington mine in Western Australia.
The company also has significant operations in Nevada, where it manages several high-producing mines through its joint venture with Barrick Mining Corp (TSE: ABX) (NYSE: B), known as Nevada Gold Mines. This partnership includes assets like the Carlin, Cortez, and Turquoise Ridge complexes. Together, they form one of the largest gold-producing hubs in the world.
Nevada remains one of the world’s most attractive jurisdictions for mining due to its rich geology, regulations, and infrastructure. The state hosts large, high-grade gold and silver deposits, particularly in the Carlin and Battle Mountain-Eureka trends.
Several companies operate in Nevada. The newly reconstituted Equinox Gold Corp (TSE: EQX) (NYSEAMERICAN: EQX) (FRA: 1LRC) operates the Pan Mine after it’s merger with Calibre Mining earlier this year. In addition, NevGold Corp (CVE: NAU) (OTCMKTS: NAUFF) (FRA: 5E50) holds several exploration-stage gold projects, including Limousine Butte. Furthermore, i-80 GOLD CORP. (TSE: IAU) (NYSEAMERICAN: IAUX) and Hecla Mining (NYSE: HL) have significant operations focused on gold and silver production.
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