Mine rescues are extraordinary events where the strength of human spirit, determination, and technology come together to save lives trapped beneath the Earth’s surface. The most recent example of mine rescue is undergoing in Uttarakhand where 40 workers have been trapped inside the Uttarkashi’s Silkyara tunnel for more than 10 days now. As per reports, the government is working their best to make an escape plan while also taking care of the physical and mental health of trapped ones.
Let’s delve into some of the most famous and successful mine rescues in recent history.
- Chile: August – October 2010
In northern Chile, at the San José copper-gold project, 33 miners found themselves stranded 700 meters below the surface after the main entrance ramp collapsed. The miners were trapped for a staggering 69 days, but thanks to a remarkable rescue effort, all of them were successfully evacuated. Despite the mine’s history of fatal accidents, this operation became a symbol of hope. Compensation followed for the miners, with 14 of them receiving lifetime monthly pensions of $540. The rescue operation, estimated to cost between $10 million and $20 million, led to the sale of the mine by San Esteban, with proceeds used to compensate the miners and cover government expenses.
- China: March – April 2010
In Shanxi province, China, the Wangjialing mine faced a potential disaster when floods trapped 153 miners underground. Alerted by tapping on an inserted pipe for oxygen, rescuers raced against time to save the trapped miners. Although not all could be rescued, 115 lives were saved. The floods were attributed to water leaks in the mine’s foundations, left unrepaired due to the rush to finish construction by October. This near-catastrophe highlighted the importance of safety in mining operations.
- Australia: April – May 2006
The Beaconsfield gold mine in Tasmania faced adversity when a magnitude 2.1 earthquake claimed one life and left two miners trapped in a lift. Surviving on a single cereal bar and licking moisture from the rocks, the trapped miners endured for one week. Rescuers eventually reached them with food and water through a drilled pipe, marking a testament to the resilience of those who work underground.
- United States: June – July 2002
The Quecreek mine in Pennsylvania witnessed an accidental breakthrough into the abandoned Saxman coal mine, flooding the Quecreek operation. While half of the 18 workers escaped, the remaining nine were trapped in the mine’s shafts and chambers. A dramatic rescue effort ensued, eventually saving all nine miners. This event underscored the challenges and risks associated with mining operations.
- United States: October 1987
In a heartwarming story from Midland, Texas, an 18-month-old girl named Jessica McClure was rescued from a well shaft after spending two and a half days trapped underground. Jessica had fallen into the abandoned shaft, and her rescue captured the nation’s attention, highlighting the importance of safety measures, even in seemingly innocuous environments.