The families of eight missing miners in Burkina Faso awaited word from rescue crews on Thursday as they continued their search for the men who have been trapped underground for 26 days.
Since April 16, when the miners were stranded more than 500 meters (1,640 feet) down following a flood at Trevali Mining Corp’s Perkoa zinc mine in Canada, there has been no communication with them.
Trevali speculated that the men may have arrived in a rescue chamber filled with food and water. Rescue teams were nearing the chamber on Thursday, according to a company representative, after pumping water out of the mine for weeks.
Family members have been gathering every day for updates and moral support at the site in central Burkina Faso’s Sanguie province.
“We are hopeful. We are confident that they will return. We’re putting our faith in God “After a group prayer session at the mine, Sylvie Bama, the wife of miner Charles Bama, remarked.
“I’m browsing at some pictures of my hubby. I miss him terribly. He has been away from home for 26 days today “she said.
Bama sells worn clothing, but she and her four children rely on her husband’s salary. After the accident, her husband’s brother, Antoine Bama, left his home in the capital, Ouagadougou, to stay with the family and offer support.
He attempts to remain upbeat for the benefit of his brother’s children, who range in age from six to twenty.
Antoine Bama remarked, “We have to attempt to offer them hope.”
Bassolma Bazie, the Labour Minister of Burkina Faso, said water samples have to be examined for safety reasons before rescuers could attempt to enter the chamber underwater.
“Rescue crews are being organized to dive into the area and conduct some checks. However, before diving into the mine’s circulating fluids, we must first analyze a few samples “Bazie explained.
