Dease Lake, British Columbia, July 24, 2025 – A tense rescue operation is unfolding at the Red Chris copper and gold mine in northern British Columbia, Canada, just south of the Alaska border, where three miners remain trapped underground after two rockfall incidents on Tuesday morning. The workers, including one from Ontario, Canada, are believed to be safe in a refuge station with food, water, and air, as rescue teams work around the clock to reach them, according to Newmont Corporation, the U.S.-based mining giant that operates the site.

The incident has drawn attention across North America, with British Columbia Premier David Eby addressing the crisis during a press conference on Wednesday at a Canadian premiers’ meeting in Huntsville, Ontario. “We’re dealing with an accident at the Red Chris mine. Three miners are trapped but appear uninjured and are in a secure refuge area,” Eby said. “British Columbia’s rescue teams are among the best, and they’re doing everything possible to bring these workers home.” Two of the miners are from British Columbia, while the third hails from Ontario, a detail that has prompted coordination between Canadian provincial leaders.

What Happened?

Located in the remote Tahltan Nation territory near Dease Lake, about 250 miles from Alaska’s southern border, the Red Chris mine is a key copper and gold operation owned by Newmont (70%) and Canada’s Imperial Metals Corporation (30%). The mine, operational since 2015, is shifting to underground block-cave mining, a method that extracts ore by undercutting deposits. The trapped miners, contractors with Hy-Tech Drilling, a Canadian drilling company, were working on a non-producing underground project when a rockfall blocked a tunnel 200 meters from the entrance. The workers, located 600 meters inside, moved to a refuge station, but a second collapse cut off communication with the surface, halting all mine operations.

Safe Havens Underground

In underground mines, refuge stations are critical safety zones, required by Canadian regulations to be within 1,600 feet of work areas. These sealed chambers are stocked with food, water, ventilation, and communication systems to sustain workers during emergencies. Newmont confirmed that the refuge bays at Red Chris can support up to 16 people for three days, with access to multiple bays ensuring the miners have supplies for an extended period. “These stations are designed for worst-case scenarios, like fires or collapses,” said Dwayne Tannant, a geotechnical engineering professor at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. “The miners are likely waiting safely until rescuers can clear the debris.”

Rescue Operations in Full Swing

Newmont is spearheading the rescue, bolstered by specialized teams from nearby mines, including the Brucejack mine, about 60 miles away. The British Columbia government fast-tracked permits to move heavy equipment to the site, and a geotechnical inspector is assisting on the ground. Shawn Rideout, a mine rescue expert from Ontario’s Workplace Safety North, explained the challenge: “The teams are assessing the damage from the rockfalls to safely reach the workers. The refuge stations give them time, but restoring communication is critical.”

The operation has drawn support from across Canada’s mining industry, with British Columbia’s Mining Minister Jagrup Brar noting, “The response from other mines, with equipment and expertise, shows the strength of our industry.” Premier Eby has also been in contact with Ontario’s government to support the family of the Ontario miner.

North American Mining in Focus

The Red Chris incident highlights the risks of underground mining, a vital industry for both Canada and the U.S., where companies like Newmont, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, play a major role. The mine’s proximity to Alaska underscores the interconnectedness of North American resource extraction. On social media platform X, Americans and Canadians alike have expressed support, with one user posting, “Prayers for the miners at Red Chris. Hoping for a quick rescue.” Another noted, “Refuge stations are a game-changer for safety. Those guys are tough, they’ll hang in there.”

Hy-Tech Drilling confirmed the miners are their employees but withheld their names to respect their privacy. The workers are not part of United Steelworkers Local 1-1937, which represents about 450 Red Chris employees. Nolan Paquette, a union representative, called the situation “unprecedented” but expressed confidence in the rescue teams.

Looking Ahead

Newmont is exploring advanced technologies to clear the blocked tunnel and restore communication, though no timeline for the rescue has been announced due to the complexity of the operation. The British Columbia ambulance service is on standby, and the province’s mining ministry is ensuring regulatory oversight.

As the U.S. and Canada watch closely, the focus remains on safely extracting the three miners. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by workers in the mining industry, which supplies critical materials for both nations’ economies. Click USA News will continue to monitor developments in this ongoing story.