Thirty-five-year-old Nicaraguan miner Victor Vilchez Martinez has died as the result of flooding at a Nicaraguan mine owned by Vancouver-based B2Gold Corp. (TSX:BTO; OTCQX: BGLPF), the company announced this morning.
According to a company statement, the Limon mine suffered a force majeure event at approximately 4:30 p.m. on June 18 when heavy rains caused a portion of the underground mine workings to flood. The mine was evacuated as the safety protocol was implemented, with 25 of the 26 workers getting out safely.
The company said Martinez had remained unaccounted for since the initial flooding, and “in spite of intense efforts made toward his rescue,” he was declared dead.
B2Gold offered its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Martinez, who was from the community of Mina El Limon.
The company said underground operations will remain suspended during the accident investigation and rehabilitation of the mine to ensure safe operations.
B2Gold said the Limon mill will continue to process ore from the existing stockpile, and production schedules “will be adjusted to include other sources of open pit ore during the suspension of underground mining.”
Calls to the company were not returned by press deadline.
Jenny Wagler
Twitter: JennyWagler_BIV