Colombia Rescues 18 Miners Trapped in Antioquia Mine

Eighteen miners were trapped for approximately 18 hours in an unlicensed gold mine called 'El Minon' located between Remedios and Segovia in Colombia's Antioquia department, following a mechanical failure that caused a collapse blocking the main exit. The rescue operation, involving more than 50 people and led by Colombia's National Mining Agency and local authorities, successfully extracted all miners who were found in good health and quickly provided with oxygen underground. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in Colombia's mining sector, where many operations remain informal or illegal, often controlled by armed groups such as the Gulf Clan that also engage in cocaine trafficking. Mining is a significant part of Colombia's economy, contributing 3% of GDP and generating hundreds of thousands of jobs, but accidents are frequent and sometimes deadly, with recent tragedies including tunnel collapses and explosions. Authorities emphasized the importance of safety in mining activities, while the rescue drew attention to the risks tied to unregulated mining practices in a region with a strong mining tradition. The event underscores the broader challenges Colombia faces in balancing economic interests, illegal mining, and public safety.