Four Ecuadorian Miners Trapped

Four Ecuadorian miners got trapped 150 meters underground in Portovelo, El Oro. The accident happened at 3 in the morning, there was a landslide in Casa Negra mine, from the Mine Sadco Company.

At the moment a crisis committee is working on the rescue plan.

“The filling material failed and an increase of water entered the chimney, this collapsed and blocked the work of the miners,” said Jorge Espinoza, Mining Development sub secretary; he is the spokesman of the case.

The names of the four miners are: Walter Vera (Chief of the mine), Angel Vera, Pedro Mendoza and Paul Aguirre.

The rescue operation involves the Ministry of nonrenewable resources, the Secretary of risks, Health Minister, the Municipality of Portovelo, Sadco Mine Company and the National Police.
“We are evaluating the situation, we’re working here until we get some positive results,” said Espinoza, who is in charge of the situation since 08:30, when an officer became aware of the fact that the miners were trapped.

The rescue crew has not established contact with the miners yet; meanwhile mining comrades have already began the liberation by cleaning the filling material that’s outside.

“There are more than 50 people, including miners and rescuers. There is a water problem, which must be pumped constantly to raise the level, but that’s controlled,” said Espinoza. The liberation will be very easy compared to the 33 miners in Chile, who were 700 meters underground.