ALROSA: Mir open-pit mine free from water now

ALROSA announced that the Mir open-pit mine which was flooded with water from the open-pit mine as announced on 4th August, is free from water now and it is safe for the rescuers and miners to continue the rescue operation underground. The fate of eight miners trapped in Mir underground mine since the flooding on August 4 is unknown.

As previously reported, the company’s specialists implemented a special plan that included throwing down of large blocks from helicopters to provoke a load shock at the bottom of the open-pit mine. It allowed creating conditions for the discharge of the water accumulated in the open-pit. The danger of uncontrolled discharge of water into Mir underground mine has been removed making it possible to strengthen the rescue operation.

The rescue operation is carried out 24 hours a day in three shifts. 320 specialists involved in the elimination of the accident represent a combined force of EMERCOM specialists and ALROSA.