16 rescue crews are participating in the rescue operation. The mine rescue workers have to conduct a search in a 200 m mining pit. Specialist equipment is being used to do this job: a mine location and measurement receiver and an industrial video endoscope. However, the CEO of JSW drew attention to the fact that the rescue workers will be allowed to enter the region where the mine roof cave-in occurred only when the methane concentration subsides. “We have managed to reduce that level to 8%. We will let the rescue worker crews in when the methane concentration will be under 5%. We must remember that the safety of running the rescue operation is of paramount importance. Already at this time I would like to extend my thanks to the rescue workers who are taking part in this difficult, complicated and dangerous operation”, said Daniel Ozon during the morning press conference held at the Zofiówka Section. Air is currently being pumped into the area of the collapse through a newly-built ventilation pipe. A task force on natural hazards has also been appointed and it includes experts from the AGH University of Science and Technology, the Silesian University of Technology and the Main Institute of Mining.
The reports filed by the injured miners who were rescued on Saturday indicate that the trapped miners may be in the lower portion of the roadway. That is why the rescue workers will attempt to enter that area as soon as possible.
The Management Board of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa has also decided to suspend mining in the Zofiówka Section. That does not mean, however, that there are no miners in the mine. The miners will be engaged in doing auxiliary work.
