On Tuesday there occured a strong tremor in the rock mass of the Rudna mine. For several hours rescuers searched for 19 miners.
The tremor occured at 10.09 p.m. in the G-3 section of the Rudna Central mine at a depth of 960 meters. The strength of the tremor was 1.6 x 108J. This was one of the strongest tremors in KGHM’s history. In the threatened area were 42 employees of KGHM. 23 were able to escape without assistance, with one of them now in hospital after suffering more serious injuries. According to his doctor, this miner will return home within 2-3 hours.
Trapped underground were another 19 miners, with whom there was no contact . For over seven hours, five rescue personnel from the Emergency Mine-Smelter Rescue Unit attempted to reach them. Finally, after 5 a.m., the rescuers broke through from the direction of the Polkowice - Sieroszowice mine. By 7 a.m. all of the miners had been brought to the surface. One of the rescued miners had a cut to the head, the rest feel well and have now gone home. In summation, as a result of the evening tremor, two employees were injured. Psychological assistance was provided to the families of the miners during the operation. The rescue operation has concluded, and the site of the event has been secured. A special commission will investigate the causes of the accident.
Communications Department
KGHM Polska Miedź SA