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Subscribe to RSSTwenty-eight miners were rescued from a New Zealand gold mine Tuesday after a fire trapped the men underground for up to seven hours.
A truck engine caught fire early Tuesday at the Trio mine in the North Island town of Waihi. Mine officials said the ventilation system pumped smoke through the mine and it could be seen coming out the vent shaft.
Initially, 28 men were trapped about 150 meters (500 feet) underground in safety chambers. After more than 5 hours, 13 men taking refuge in two safety chambers were rescued. After seven hours, the remaining men in a third chamber were also rescued.
Mine spokesman Kit Wilson said one man was being checked by medical officials for suspected smoke inhalation but the rest are fine.
"Apparently they are all in good spirits and are raring to go home and have a sleep," he said.
The men were two hours from finishing a 10-hour overnight shift when the fire broke out.
Wilson said it's not yet clear what sparked the fire in the diesel engine. He said diesel vehicles regularly enter the mine.
The mine is owned by Denver-based Newmont, one of the world's largest gold producers. Newmont has 43,000 employees and contractors in a number of countries.
Linda Willoughby, another mine spokesperson, said mine officials were in telephone contact with the trapped miners throughout their ordeal. She said that unlike some coal mines that contain volatile methane gas, the hardrock mine faced no threat of an explosion.
Willoughby said the men followed their training after the fire by taking refuge in the underground chambers. Wilson added that many of the miners at first thought the incident was a drill.
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Way to go guys. Glad everyone is safe. There will probably be a few tall tales at the local tonight.
It is time that there is a good outcome. Glad to see that everyone is OK.
Thanks goodness technology has come far enough that there are safety protocols so these men can have shelters to get inside and have a chance to live. We have come far from the old days when so many men would have died quickly. Although mining continues to be a dangerous occupation. Especially in countries which don't ensure proper safety measures are followed like China. There are others were loved ones can have some measure of comfort. Knowing their family members who must work underground have a much better work environment then that of just a previous generation ago. Kudos to a job well done by the company having set up safety measures in place so there was nothing left to chance. In addition for having those men well trained and knowing what to do in such an emergency. The time to prepare for such matters is ahead, not when emergencies happen.. This crisis and resulting actions indicates the men had been prepared.. Since smoke fills those tunnels rapidly and would have given the men short notice.
I agree with wind, Great job all around from the company and miners who kept their heads and knew what to do, Good on y'all! Enjoy a cold one and glad to see everyone is okay! :D
Good news. I'm glad all was safe.
I work for Newmont and have to say they make Saftey a priority, and spare no expense on doing it.
Thank whatever Deity they believe in. Need more happy stories in this world.
Welcome back to sunshine and fresh air. Glad you all made it!
Just wanted to express relief for all the miners and their families. We visited that area in 2000 when we saw our family in the North Island.
God bless all the wonderful Kiwis we know and love.
So grateful that the miners are safe. We visited that area in the North Island in 2000.
God bless all the wonderful Kiwis.