The clock is ticking at Westwood gold mine in Quebec, where three miners remain trapped 1,800 feet below the surface after a “seismic event” Tuesday afternoon triggered a rockfall that blocked their exit. Rescue teams have established that all three workers are alive, uninjured, and have access to life-sustaining necessities as the complex rescue operation unfolds.
“The workers have food, water, and air,” confirmed IAMGOLD, the Toronto-based company that operates the mine located about 40 kilometers east of Rouyn-Noranda in western Quebec. “They are safe in a refuge station and in constant communication with surface teams.”
The rockfall occurred around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, instantly mobilizing rescue teams who have been working around the clock to create a safe passage through the debris. Quebec’s workplace safety board and provincial police have joined the effort, monitoring the operation that mining experts warn could take days.
Pascal Lavoie, spokesperson for Quebec’s workplace safety board, emphasized the methodical approach required: “We need to secure the area first. The workers are not in immediate danger, but the rescue requires careful planning to prevent further collapses.”
This incident echoes traumatic memories of past Canadian mining accidents, including the 2021 Totten Mine incident where 39 workers were trapped for up to four days after an equipment malfunction damaged the main shaft. All were eventually rescued without injuries.
Mining remains one of Canada’s most hazardous industries despite significant safety improvements over recent decades. According to the Mining Association of Canada, the industry has reduced its fatality rate by 90% since the 1980s, but confined space rescues present unique challenges even with modern safety protocols.
“The psychological aspect is as critical as physical safety,” explains Dr. Helena Nguyen, industrial psychologist who specializes in mining disasters. “These workers know they’re in a secure refuge station with supplies, but being trapped underground creates enormous mental strain.”
IAMGOLD has temporarily suspended all operations at the Westwood mine to focus entirely on the rescue. The company’s stock dipped 3% following news of the incident but stabilized after confirmation that the miners were alive and unharmed.
Family members have gathered at a designated support center near the mine, where company officials provide hourly updates on the rescue progress. “These are experienced miners who understand emergency protocols,” said union representative Jean Taschereau. “They’re trained for situations like this, but every hour that passes weighs heavily on their families.”
As rescue teams carefully clear rubble and reinforce passages to reach the trapped miners, this incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by the roughly 426,000 workers in Canada’s mining sector – an industry that contributes over $97 billion annually to the national economy.
The mining community across Canada has rallied with messages of support, with neighboring operations offering specialized equipment and rescue expertise. For now, all focus remains on bringing these three miners safely back to the surface.
