Burkina Faso investigates mine flood as rescue efforts continue

Prime Minister Albert Ouedraogo says the managers of the Canada-based mining firm have been banned from leaving the nation as eight staff stay trapped underground.

Eight staff are lacking on the Perkoa mine, 100km (60 miles) from the capital Ouagadougou [Al Jazeera]

Burkina Faso’s authorities has launched a judicial investigation right into a flood at a zinc mine as efforts to rescue eight trapped staff enter a 3rd week.

Heavy rainfall brought on flash floods on the Perkoa mine on April 16, leaving eight staff – six from Burkina Faso, a Zambian and a Tanzanian – lacking underground.

Canada-based Trevali Mining Corp has suspended operations on the mine, positioned 100km (60 miles) from the capital Ouagadougou, as search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

Burkina Faso Prime Minister Albert Ouedraogo mentioned that managers of the mine have been banned from leaving the nation whereas investigations are underneath approach into the reason for the accident.

“Precautionary measures have been taken to stop the individuals in command of the mine from leaving the nation and directions have been given firmly to the Minister of Safety for this,” a press release from the PM’s workplace mentioned on Monday.

Throughout a go to to the positioning on the weekend, Ouedraogo blamed “irresponsibility” by these in cost on the mine. He alleged that a number of days earlier than the accident “dynamite was used on the open-air [part of the] mine, which weakened the [underground] gallery and enabled the flooding”.

The households of six miners have filed circumstances towards individuals unknown for tried manslaughter, endangering life and failing to help an individual in peril.

The mining firm, Trevali, mentioned it had acquired no official communication however was conscious of the prime minister’s feedback.

“Senior administration of Trevali stays on the Perkoa Mine and are overseeing the energetic dewatering and mine rehabilitation work,” mentioned Jason Mercier, the corporate’s director of investor relations.

“Trevali continues to work at most capability, 24 hours a day, to find the lacking staff,” he added.

In a earlier assertion, the corporate mentioned that whereas most staff underground had been in a position to safely evacuate, the eight lacking staff had been working under Degree 520, which is 520m (1,706 toes) from the floor, on the time of the flooding.

The corporate mentioned it's also investigating the reason for the accident.