After 16 hours, the final five miners trapped in the potash mine at Rocanville due to an early morning fire are home.
PotashCorp reported early Tuesday morning that a cable reel located in the Rocanville mine was burning. The 29 workers underground were safely relocated to refuge stations. Nine were subsequently brought out safely by the first of four, five-person rescue teams. The rescue teams worked throughout the morning to extinguish the blaze.
At approximately noon, Bill Cooper, a spokesperson for the Saskatchewan crown corporation, reported the fire was out. Crews worked through the afternoon to cool the area and prevent the fire from reigniting. The mine was ventilated and 15 of the remaining employees were evacuated shortly after six p.m.
Citing safety the mining company finally brought up the last five, unharmed, but relieved, at 8:15 p.m. just a little over 24 hours after their night shift had begun Monday evening. No injuries were sustained throughout the incident and Rocanville mine maintains an admirable safety record.
