23 miners rescued after 43 hours trapped in Colombian gold mine

BOGOTA, Colombia — Twenty-three workers were rescued Wednesday after spending 43 hours trapped in a collapsed underground gold mine in northern Colombia. The miners emerged from the La Reliquia mine in the Antioquia department to applause from families and rescuers. A video released by Colombia's National Mining Agency shows the first rescued miners walking out under their own power, using a rope to climb the steep entrance to the shaft. Their health status was not immediately disclosed.

Several family members waited at the surface, tears streaming as the first survivors stepped into the open air. Rescue crews faced arduous conditions as they worked to reach the trapped workers and bring them to safety, with officials confirming the 23 who were freed.

The mine sits on land owned by Canada's Aris Mining Corp., but is operated by a local mining cooperative. Aris said it had supplied the trapped workers with food, water and ventilation during the rescue efforts. The mine employs about 60 workers and accounts for a small portion of the company's gold production in the area. Aris runs two mining concessions in Colombia, which last year produced about 6.6 tons of gold. Colombia's gold production climbed to 67 tons per year in 2024, supported by high prices for the metal.

According to the National Mining Agency, the main entrance to the La Reliquia mine collapsed Monday due to a geomechanical failure. The rescue operation proceeded through the shaft with rope-assisted ascents and surface extraction as teams battled heat, dust and restricted access. The agency and local authorities did not immediately disclose which of the rescued workers were in stable condition.

A 2023 report by Colombia's Human Rights Ombudsman said that more than 80% of Colombia's gold is mined by informal operators with no licenses, including artisanal miners and members of rebel groups. The finding highlights ongoing safety and regulatory challenges in a sector critical to the country's economy.

The dangers facing miners were underscored earlier this week when seven bodies were found at an illegal mine in Cauca province; rescue teams took nine days to reach the trapped workers. The incident prompted renewed calls for tougher enforcement against illegal mining and for improved protections for workers in licensed operations.

Authorities have emphasized ongoing monitoring of safety standards at both licensed and informal mines as Colombia seeks to curb dangerous practices and reduce fatalities. The La Reliquia rescue is being cited as a rare positive outcome in a sector plagued by collapses and health risks, though officials caution that much work remains to ensure safe working conditions across the country.