A mining company says 39 workers who’ve been trapped underground near Sudbury, Ont., since yesterday are now slowly on their way out.
Vale says no one has been injured at the Totten Mine and all the trapped workers are expected to reach the surface by tonight.
The company said the trapped miners have had access to food, water and medicine.
Vale said the incident happened when a scoop bucket being sent underground Sunday afternoon detached, blocking the mine shaft.
As a result, it said the “conveyance system” for taking workers to and from the surface is unavailable.
“The employees will exit via a secondary egress ladder system with support of Vale’s mine rescue team,” the company said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his thoughts were with the miners.
“We understand this rescue will take some time and are very relieved to hear the miners are currently uninjured,” he said on Twitter.
Totten Mine opened in 2014, in Worthington, Ont. – the first mine to open in the area in 40 years, according to the company’s website.
The mine produces copper, nickel and precious metals and employs about 200 people.
