Worker trapped at Newcrest mine

A Newcrest Mining worker is believed to be trapped nearly 300 metres underground at the company’s Gosowong gold mine in Indonesia, after a ‘geotechnical event’ triggered a rock fall.

Newcrest said in a statement it was unknown what caused the geotechnical event at the Kencana underground mine last night, but the mine was evacuated and all personnel were accounted for except for one employee.

“(The employee) is believed to be trapped about 300 metres underground. No other injuries have been reported,” Newcrest said.

“At this time, our priority is to contact and rescue the trapped employee and provide all support necessary to the employee’s family and the Gosowong workforce.

“All efforts and specialist resources are being applied to the rescue.”

The family of the trapped employee has been notified.

Newcrest has suspended mining and processing operations at Gosowong in the meantime.

Shares in Newcrest rose 6.9 per cent to $16.59 each at 9:40am.