Officials from the Ministry of Emergency Situations have not yet managed to establish contact with the miners trapped beneath the debris in the Pioneer mine shaft located in the Amur region. This update comes from the ministry’s operational services, as reported by TASS. Rescuers remain focused on maintaining lines of communication and evaluating every viable option to reach those inside, but the situation on the ground continues to pose significant challenges. The priority remains safety and a careful, methodical approach to prevent further risk while attempting to locate and assist the miners beneath the rubble.
Spokespersons indicated that efforts to reach the stranded workers are ongoing, with teams exploring several pathways to establish a stable contact. Given the complexity of the collapse, rescue leaders are weighing a range of strategies, prioritizing methods that can deliver timely information about the miners’ condition without compromising the integrity of the mine or the safety of the rescuers. The statements reflect a disciplined, multi-pronged plan that adapts as assessments from the site come in.
According to the ministry, rescue teams have already drilled through 71 meters of rock in an effort to reach the miners. The current focus includes evaluating how best to deploy a high-precision drilling rig to the collapse site in order to improve access and communication. This equipment is expected to enable more accurate readings of the interior environment and shorten the time needed to bridge the distance between rescue crews and those trapped. The process emphasizes careful coordination between drilling operations and the overall rescue timetable to maximize the chances of a successful outcome.
On March 18, a rock collapse occurred at a gold mine, and the ministry reports that 13 people were trapped beneath the rubble. By March 20, a dedicated rescue aircraft belonging to the Russian Emergencies Ministry arrived in Blagoveshchensk with an expanded rescue team and a group of engineers. The arrival signals a scaling up of on-site capacity, enabling additional specialists to join the operation and contribute technical expertise to the ongoing assessment and extraction efforts.
Presently, two drilling rigs are stationed at the site. The first borehole is directed toward the anticipated location that could facilitate direct communication with the miners and establish a stable link. The second borehole targets a closer horizon of the mine to enable rescuers to reach a higher level of the shaft and gather more precise information about conditions inside the collapsed area. The ministry has explained that this two-pronged approach will help them form a clearer picture of the interior environment, verify the miners’ location, and support a safer and more informed rescue plan for the teams involved.
Earlier disclosures revealed that the scale of the mine collapse in the Amur region was greater than initially anticipated. This realization has influenced the ongoing operations, prompting authorities to recalibrate their strategies and allocate additional resources to the rescue effort. The evolving understanding of the collapse underscores the importance of flexible planning, robust coordination among rescue units, and continuous site assessment to adapt as new data becomes available. The situation remains dynamic, with officials emphasizing careful, evidence-based decision-making as crews press forward to reach the miners and ensure their safety. [Source: Ministry of Emergency Situations]