BHP miners rescued, Chinese still trapped

Two separate incidents risked the safety of miners this week, with nine BHP Billiton (ASX:BHP) workers trapped for almost 10 hours in an underground nickel mine after an earthquake struck Western Australia, and three Chinese miners still stuck in a flooded coal mine.

BHP’s Nickel West Leinster Perseverance miners were not injured, but the mine will remain closed until a thorough safety inspection is completed, AAP said.

Meanwhile, collapses of shaft walls have obstructed rescue efforts for the three coal miners trapped at Wanchanggou since Tuesday, Xinhua reports.

Authorities said all coal mines in the area have been ordered to suspend operation for a security overhaul.