ALROSA announced information from the Emergency Response Centre

ALROSA announced that water volume in the open pit on August 21 at 7.00 am local time was 13,400 cubic meters. Water level in the mine shaft at 8.50 am was at mark -250.05 meters. Attempts a day earlier, to control the water discharge by a number of focused explosions aimed at expanding the gap between the open pit and underground mine brought no results. There remains a threat of flooding of the group of pumping units on level –210, and failure of electric power, ventilation, and lighting systems in case of immediate water discharge from the open pit mine. In this situation, any underground works are prohibited by federal norms and regulations in the sphere of industrial safety.

On August 21st, works related to the controlled discharge of water by focused explosions were to continue. The calculations made will ensure the safety of blasting operations to the lives of miners working underground. While works on the surface of Mir open pit mine are underway, all the staff involved in the search and rescue operation left the underground mine.

This decision was made a day earlier following the emergency meeting held by the Representatives of the Emergencies Ministry, Rostechnadzor, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Federal Security Service, NTC-Novotek, and Yakutniproalmaz Institute to adjust the search and rescue operation plan. Rostechnadzor issued a relevant permit for the operation.