The third exploration well has begun to be opened at the Pioneer mine in the Amur region, where 13 miners have been trapped beneath rubble since March 18. This information comes from RIA News, citing officials in the Amur regional government.
Officials confirmed that drilling of three exploration wells is underway. The first well has reached 160 meters of a planned 262, the second is at 62 meters of 205, near the night ventilation slope, and work is progressing directly within the underground sections. A mobile drilling rig has been set up and started operating, with the initial meters already completed. A steady pace of progress has been reported as crews manage the challenging conditions inside the mine.
Additionally, it was announced that a fourth drilling rig would be mobilized to the site to drill an extra exploratory well, aimed at gaining more data on the extent of the subsurface conditions and potential pathways for airflow and safety concerns inside the rock mass.
Earlier updates indicated that rescue teams remained on duty throughout the entire operation at the Pioneer mine in the Amur region. The rubble at the site has a depth of about 220 meters, and rescue efforts have focused on locating and supporting the trapped workers as information evolves. Local authorities have coordinated with engineering teams to monitor stability and to plan for potential timely evacuations if the situation changes.
On March 18, a rock collapse occurred at the mine, leaving 13 people unaccounted for beneath the debris. By March 20, a special airplane from the Russian Emergencies Ministry arrived in Blagoveshchensk carrying an additional rescue team and a group of engineers to bolster the relief operation. The response involved continued assessment, air monitoring, and the deployment of necessary recovery gear to support the difficult environment underground.
Earlier reports also noted that the extent of the mine collapse in the Amur region appeared larger than initially estimated, with later findings indicating a volume of displaced rock and debris that exceeded early projections. Authorities have emphasized ongoing safety reviews, constant communication with families, and continued coordination among rescue units, engineering specialists, and mining officials to adapt to evolving conditions on site. In this complex scenario, the focus remains on safeguarding lives, maintaining miner welfare, and providing accurate updates as circumstances permit.