The majority of the workers trapped by a fire this morning at the potash mine in Rocanville are on their way to the surface.
PotashCorp reported this morning that a cable reel located in the Rocanville mine was burning. The 29 workers 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 are now on their way out.
Only five remain underground in a refuge station. Cooper said the refuge stations are well-stocked and the miners could easily stay underground for days if necessary. The company is confident the remaining miners will be rescued shortly.
