Burkina Faso Investigates Mine Flood As Search Efforts Continue

Burkina Faso’s government has launched a judicial investigation into a flood at a zinc mine that left eight workers trapped, with rescue efforts entering a third week.

Canada-based Trevali Mining Corp suspended operations at its Perkoa mine on April 16, when heavy rainfall caused flash floods and left eight workers missing underground.

Following a visit to the site on Sunday, Burkina Faso Prime Minister Albert Ouedraogo said that managers of the mine had been banned from leaving the country while investigations were underway into the cause of the accident.

A statement from the PM’s office said Precautionary measures have been taken to prevent the persons in charge of the mine from leaving the country and instructions have been given firmly to the Minister of Security for this

Trevali said it had received no official communication but was aware of the prime minister’s comments adding that the company is also investigating the cause of the accident.

In a previous statement, the company said that while most workers underground were able to safely evacuate, the eight missing workers were working below Level 520, which is 520 metres from the surface, at the time of the flooding.

There are two refuge chambers located below Level 520 designed in case miners become trapped, but the company said it did not know if any of the missing workers had been able to reach them.