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Three miners remain trapped underground Thursday at a mine in northwestern B.C.
Specialized drones have now been deployed at the Red Chris gold and copper mine to assess the geotechnical conditions underground.
The miners, who are Hy-Tech drilling employees, are in a refuge area with food, water and air that can accommodate up to 16 people, according to Newmont, the company that owns and operates the mine.
Hy-Tech confirmed on Thursday that the men were operating a diamond drill rig at the mine.
The drillers became trapped on Tuesday after two sections of the underground area caved in.
They were working more than 500 metres beyond the first cave-in, Newmont said, and were asked to relocate to the refuge station before a second cave-in blocked the access way.
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Newmont said staff at the mine were able to communicate with the miners after the first cave-in to make sure they made it to the refuge area before the second cave-in cut off all communication.
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Three miners trapped underground in northern B.C.
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On Thursday, Newmont said the debris blocking access to the underground area is estimated to be approximately 20 to 30 metres long and seven to eight metres high. The area of the refuge chambers is not in the same area as the fall of ground and is understood to be stable and well-ventilated.
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A remote control scoop, transported from the nearby Brucejack site, has begun removing debris, Newmont confirmed.
Teams are also restoring the specialized communication system in an attempt to re-establish communication with the workers.
B.C. Premier David Eby originally said that two of the miners are from B.C. and one is from Ontario. However, Hy-Tech clarified on Thursday that one of the workers is from B.C., one is from Manitoba and one is from Ontario.
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All operations at the Red Chris mine have been paused while the rescue operation is underway.
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