Rescuers in northern British Columbia, Canada, are racing to reach three workers trapped underground after a collapse at the Red Chris mine, located on Tahltan Nation territory. The miners have been trapped since the morning of July 22 behind a debris pile estimated to be up to 100 feet (30 meters) long and 26 feet (eight meters) high.
Mining company Newmont said the workers have access to air, food, and water in a designated refuge area, though communication with them was lost on July 23 following a second cave-in. Specialized drones and a remote-controlled scoop are being used to assess the damage and clear a safe path.
Officials say restoring communication and evaluating the safest way to remove the debris remain top priorities.
Indeed, as the history books will tell you, the mining industry has taken thousands of lives over the years. When the Industrial Revolution took hold during the 19th century, the need for fossil fuels like coal grew exponentially, and the working class was sent deep underground to harvest the precious materials needed to power engines and machinery. Coal mining was a particularly dangerous endeavor, as the coal dust in the air was highly flammable. And in addition to dealing with dreadful working conditions, back-breaking labor, and toxic fumes, miners risk their lives every time they go to work. From explosions to collapses, there have been countless disasters that took hundreds of lives in those claustrophobic tunnels.Click through this gallery to learn about the most devastating mining accidents in human history, and the shocking death tolls they caused
Click through this gallery to learn about the most devastating mining accidents in human history, and the shocking death tolls they caused.