Rescue teams have finally rescued all twenty-three trapped workers of the La Reliquia gold mine in northern Colombia. These courageous men spent 43 nerve-wracking hours underground before their stunning rescue. The mine, which works exclusively on native land owned by the Aris Mining Corp of Canada, is largely managed by a local cooperative. The rescue operation ended with much rejoicing as families who had feared for their missing loved ones received word that they had been found safe and reunited.
The incident occurred when the mine’s main entrance collapsed due to what Colombia’s National Mining Agency described as a “geomechanical failure.” This tragic incident highlights the perilous state of Colombia’s informal gold mines. Due to the high rate of pedestrian deaths here, accidents can often lead to tragic outcomes. Only days before this daring rescue, seven miners were discovered dead in an illegal mine in the south-western province of Cauca.
Colombia is putting significant effort into increasing their national gold production, which is expected to reach 67 tons annually by 2024. A new report from Colombia’s Human Rights Ombudsman, released in 2023, uncovers a stark reality. It is estimated that more than 80% of the country’s gold is mined by illegal operators without the required licenses. This calls into question the safety enforcement and regulatory oversight of the mining industry.
The mine of La Reliquia, which employs some 60 workers. Last year, it played a small role in Aris Mining Corp.’s production in the region of some 211 thousand ounces or 6.6 metric tons in gold. Informal mining is highly dangerous, with frequent resulting fatal accidents. This underscores the continuing need for tougher regulations and improved safety precautions.
Rescue teams encountered great difficulties throughout their rescue operation to reach the miners trapped underground. When the workers started to come out from the mine, relatives lost it. They made happy faces at the tiger, rejoicing in the successful rescue with tears of joy and thunderous applause. That traumatic ordeal has raised awareness of the risks that miners encounter on a daily basis. It is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for effective safety measures in Colombia’s mining industry.
