Trevali Mining has confirmed that its search team has recovered the bodies of two workers, the last unaccounted for from a group of eight trapped underground following a flooding event on 16 April at the Perkoa zinc operation in Burkina Faso.
The victims were located on 8 June and 19 June during dewatering activities at the 640 and 670 levels, respectively, the company said on 20 June. Six other workers were located and their bodies recovered in late May.
Trevali and mining contractor Byrnecut remain in regular contact with authorities to determine the cause, and dewatering efforts are also ongoing. The identities of all eight victims will remain undisclosed.
Mining and milling operations at Perkoa will remain suspended for the foreseeable future, and the company said it has suspended production and cost guidance for 2022 as it relates to Perkoa.
To date, 137 million litres of water has been removed from the mine as well as almost 4,500 metres of mine rehabilitation completed on the ramp decline, and removal of 5,860 cubic metres of solids. Dewatering and rehabilitation work will continue to the mine depth of the 710 Level.
Source: Tevali Mining