Newmont Successfully Rescues Trapped Workers After Rockfalls at Red Chris Mine in British Columbia

Three Workers Rescued After 60-Hour Ordeal at Newmont’s Red Chris Mine in B.C.

Three workers trapped underground for more than 60 hours at Newmont Corporation’s Red Chris mine in northwest British Columbia have been safely rescued, the company confirmed late Thursday night.

The workers — Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke, and Jesse Chubaty — contractors employed by B.C.-based Hy-Tech Drilling, were brought to the surface around 10:40 p.m. local time (1:40 a.m. ET Friday). According to Newmont, all three were in “good health and spirits” after their rescue.

The incident began early Tuesday morning when two significant rockfalls occurred within the underground mine, initially blocking the workers’ exit and later severing communication.

Before contact was lost on Wednesday, the men had confirmed they were inside one of the mine’s refuge chambers with access to food, water, and air.

Newmont described the operation as a “carefully planned and meticulously executed rescue,” carried out using advanced equipment, including drones and a remote-controlled scoop brought in from its Brucejack mine, also located in British Columbia.

The machinery was used to clear debris estimated to be between 20 to 30 metres long and up to eight metres high.

All mining operations at Red Chris were suspended during the rescue efforts.

“The successful outcome is a testament to tireless collaboration, technical expertise, and — above all — a commitment to safety and care,” Newmont said in a statement.

British Columbia’s Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, Jagrup Brar, expressed relief in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “There are no words to describe the relief we all feel knowing these three workers are going home to their families.”

Red Chris is a gold-copper mine located about 80 kilometres south of Dease Lake and roughly 1,050 kilometres north of Vancouver.

It is operated as a joint venture between Newmont (70%) and Imperial Metals (30%) and has been in production since 2015.

A full investigation into the incident is now underway.