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Water discovered in third exploratory hole in Pioneer Mine — emergency services

Most emergency and rescue operations have now been suspended due to unstable soil and the risk of another rock collapse

TASS, March 27. /TASS/. The third exploratory hole drilled at the Pioneer Mine has shown the presence of water, emergency services told TASS.

"Drilling of one more exploratory well was completed. It showed that there is water down in the mine. The two borers that completed drilling the well will start drilling in new areas," a spokesperson said. Exploratory holes drilled earlier in the mine also demonstrated that water and rock are present in the mine’s workings.

The press service of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies confirmed this piece of information to TASS.

Most emergency and rescue operations have now been suspended due to unstable soil and the risk of another rock collapse. The clearing of debris, installation of partitions, and drilling of one well were halted. In total 226 people and 29 machinery units are involved in the rescue operation.

A rock inrush occurred on March 18 at the Pioneer goldmine in the Amur Region. Thirteen people are under the rubble. Their last location was recorded at a depth of 147 meters. There is no communication with the miners. A state of emergency has been introduced in the region.