According to a Thursday evening update from Newmont Corp., which operates the Red Chris mine, the debris blocking access to the underground area is estimated to be 20 to 30 metres long and 7 to 8 metres high. There is a gap between the top of the pile and the roof of the mine, allowing drone access.

A rescuer who has experienced the relief that comes with successfully freeing people trapped underground, says lessons learned at a rescue operation at British Columbia's Red Chris mine can help teams across the country.

Newmont has confirmed that two “fall of ground” incidents disrupted the accessway to a non-producing underground area of the Red Chris mine.