Alrosa diamond mine flooded in Russian Far East

Photo: Alrosa

Rescue operation continues at Mir

More than 150 people are being evacuated after a water breakthrough at the pumping station of the Mir diamond mine belonging to the mining giant Alrosa in the Russian Far East Republic of Yakutia. The main result today is that the rescue operation continues under extremely difficult conditions. The rescue activities are promptly adjusted depending on the degree of risk.

ALROSA underground mine Mir is flooded with water from the open-pit mine. 151 miners are underground. The emergency response plan has been launched and the emergency response center has been created. Rescue operations are underway. All the emergency services immediately arrived at the mine where the accident occurred, rescue brigades are working.

Also, at level -210 an additional pumping system consisting of three pumps was mounted to minimize the risk of flooding of the search sites. Two pumps with a capacity of 1,250 cubic meters of water per hour each are ready-to-run. According to instrument readings, all ventilation systems are constantly operating, the air is supplied in the entire mine shaft.

Today, seven ALROSA’s climbers descended down the open-pit slopes to reach water-collecting wells, the attempt to get in touch with the missing miners by tapping was unsuccessful. Tomorrow, rock climbers will repeat their attempt to get in touch with the miners trapped underground.