Updated at 5:12 p.m.: In a statement to Sudbury.com, Vale spokesperson Danica Pagnutti said the company expects to have all miners at Totten Mine on surface "tonight," but could not be more specific than that.
Original story: Ontario Premier Doug Ford tweeted a message to the 39 Vale miners currently being rescued from Totten mine where the workers have been stranded underground since Sunday.
“Our thoughts are with the 39 miners trapped underground in #Sudbury as rescue teams work to get them safely above ground,” Ford tweeted at 3:20 p.m.
“We understand this rescue will take some time and are very relieved to hear the miners are currently uninjured.”
The employees have been stuck underground for more than 24 hours after the conveyance for transporting employees was taken offline, following an incident in the shaft.
A Vale memo from Gord Gilpin, head of mining with Vale’s Ontario operations, said a scoop bucket that was being slung underground detached from the conveyance and became hung up in the shaft.
As a result, the conveyance for transporting employees is unavailable.
Nick Belt MP Marc Serré tweeted shortly after the premier at 3:38 p.m.
“Sending strength and prayers to all involved,” the newly re-elected MP said. “Thinking of each of you, the families and loved ones and the entire Nickel Belt community right now. / Prières à toutes les personnes impliquées. Je pense à chacun de vous, aux familles et aux proches et à toute la communauté.”
The employees are currently exiting the mine through a “secondary egress ladder system” with the support of Vale’s mine rescue team.
Sudbury.com was contacted by a resident who said her husband is one of the employees trapped underground. She said mine rescue is bringing up two men at a time on a ladder, climbing 2,500 feet, and then taking the cage to surface. The woman said this would take four to six hours. Vale has not confirmed this information.
She said the employees had been underground since 11:30 a.m. Sunday, with no food aside from protein and candy bars brought in by mine rescue.
Located about 40 km west of Copper Cliff near the small community of Worthington, Totten Mine employs about 200 people. Opened in 2014, copper, nickel and other precious metals are mined at the site.
