POTASH MINING: Fire out, workers safe at Rocanville

SASKATCHEWAN – An early morning fire at Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan’s Rocanville mine is extinguished, but 20 miners remain underground in refuge stations. No injuries were reported.

The fire broke out about 2 am local time on Tuesday, Sept. 25, reportedly at a wooden cable reel. Rescue teams entered the mine and brought nine miners to the surface and sent 20 others to refuge stations. The fire was out by 12:30 pm, but the remaining workers will stay in the stations until crews determine that the fire cannot reignite, the area has cooled, and the ground is stable.

The cause of the fire was not immediately apparent, but it will be investigated thoroughly. (PotashCorp.com)