Newcrest reports progress in rescuing trapped worker

By Romel S. Gurky

ASX-listed Newcrest Mining Ltd said Monday it's making progress in the efforts to rescue a worker trapped at the Kencana underground mine in Gosowong gold mine, Halmahera Island, North Maluku.

Newcrest said in a statement that early on Sunday morning, rescuers broke through into the chamber where the trapped worker, Mursalim Sahman, is located after completing the boring of a 70 centimeters diameter hole approximately 38 meters deep. "This is a significant milestone in developing the primary rescue option. Before attempting final extraction, the bore hole will need to be lined so that Pak Mursalim can be safely brought up. It is expected that lining the hole will take several days," the statement said.

A second extraction option, which is a new lateral development drive from the main decline to Mursalim's location, is also being progressed, the firm said.

Work continues on geotechnical monitoring to track ground conditions and assess the risks of every aspect of the rescue effort, it added.

"Pak Mursalim?s health remains good and he has been speaking with his family using a newly installed telephone line."

Newcrest?s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer,Sandeep Biswas, said, ?Significant progress has been made to rescue Pak Mursalim Sahman. I am not able to give a definitive timeframe at this stage but rescue work is taking place around the clock, drawing on support from many people across Newcrest and beyond.?

A geotechnical event occurred on February 8 at the Kencana underground mine, forcing Newcrest to suspend operations. Only one worker, Mursalim, was trapped.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak