Twenty-three workers were rescued Wednesday after spending 43 hours trapped in a collapsed underground gold mine in northern Colombia. The miners emerged from the La Reliquia mine in Antioquia to applause from family members and rescue teams.
Colombia’s National Mining Agency said the main entrance collapsed on Monday due to a “geomechanical failure.” A video released by the agency shows the first miners climbing out using a rope. They appeared able to walk under their own power. Their health status was not immediately disclosed.
Families had waited anxiously, celebrating with tears and applause as each worker exited the mine. In addition, Aris Mining Corp. (TSE: ARIS) (NYSE: ARMN), which owns the land, said it provided trapped workers with food, water and ventilation during rescue operations. The company also noted that the mine employs about 60 workers and contributes only a small portion of its overall gold production.
Aris operates two concessions in Colombia, producing about 6.6 tons of gold last year. Colombia’s total gold production reached 67 tons in 2024, supported by high prices for the metal. However, most of the country’s gold comes from informal or illegal operators. A 2023 report from Colombia’s Human Rights Ombudsman revealed that over 80 per cent of the country’s gold comes from unlicensed workers. Artisanal miners and armed groups drive much of this output, operating outside legal and safety frameworks. This widespread informality exposes miners to dangerous conditions and fuels ongoing safety crises in the sector.
Just days before the La Reliquia rescue, seven miners died at an illegal mine in Cauca province. Rescue teams needed nine days to reach those trapped workers.
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Mine collapses happen most often due to poorly regulated operations
Mine collapses and accidents continue to occur worldwide, often in informal or poorly regulated operations. These incidents can trap miners for hours or even days, sometimes causing fatalities due to unstable tunnels and limited safety measures.
In Colombia, just days before the La Reliquia rescue, seven miners died at an illegal gold mine in Cauca province. Rescue teams took nine days to reach the trapped workers, highlighting the dangers faced in unregulated sites.
Similarly, in December 2021, a landslide at a jade mine in Hpakant, Myanmar, killed at least three people and left between 70 and 100 missing. The likely cause was mining waste dumped into the open-pit mine, which destabilized the slopes.
In Peru, a small artisanal gold mine linked to a publicly-traded mining company experienced a partial collapse in 2022, trapping miners for several hours, and production briefly halted while emergency crews stabilized the site. The company later updated its safety procedures for contractors.
Furthermore, in February 2024, a significant landslide at the Çöpler gold mine in Turkey, operated by SSR Mining (NASDAQ: SSRM), resulted in a cyanide spill. The country fined the company and closed the mine for three months.
These events show that mining hazards persist even in licensed and regulated operations. Furthermore, informal and artisanal mines remain especially vulnerable, increasing the likelihood of accidents. In addition, rapid mining growth sometimes outpaces regulatory enforcement, leaving workers exposed to risks.
Consequently, governments and companies face pressure to improve safety standards and emergency readiness. Meanwhile, families and communities remain vigilant, emphasizing the human cost of mining accidents. These incidents highlight the ongoing need for stricter safety monitoring, investment in safer practices, and swift rescue capabilities worldwide.
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