Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) is a public sector enterprise under the administrative control of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. It was established in 1967. Hindustan Copper Limited is the only vertically integrated copper-producing company in India. Furthermore, it covers activities ranging from mining, beneficiation, smelting, refining, and casting of refined copper metal into downstream saleable products. HCL operates mines in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand. Additionally, the primary mining operations include underground and open-cast mines.
On Tuesday night 15 people were trapped in the Kolihan mine of Hindustan Copper Limited in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. Inspection was going on in the mine on Tuesday night. Then at 8:10 pm, the vertical lift chain broke at a depth of 1875 feet. In this accident, 15 people, including the Vigilance team of Kolkata and officials of Khetri Copper Corporation, were trapped in the mine.
Rescue Operation Started in Hindustan Copper Limited Kolihan Mine
After receiving the information Chief Minister of Rajasthan Bhajanlal Sharma instructed the concerned officials to immediately reach the spot. Furthermore, instructions were given to speed up the relief and rescue operations and provide all possible help and health facilities to the affected people. Shortly after receiving information about the collapse of the elevator, ambulances rushed to the scene. Moreover, doctors were asked to prepare for any situation.
BJP MLA from Khetri Dharampal Gurjar reached the spot and took stock after receiving information. MLA Gurjar said he went to Haryana for election campaigning but immediately returned upon learning about the accident. I called the SDM to the spot. The entire administration is on alert. 6-7 ambulances are standing at the spot.
Rescue operations were started on Tuesday night after the incident happened. Three officers were initially rescued out of the 15 people trapped in the HCL mine early on Wednesday. They have suffered a few injuries, but nothing serious. As per the latest information, 14 out of 15 people are been rescued safely. Chief Vigilance Officer Upendra Pandey has died in the mine accident. Moreover, according to Dr Praveen Sharma of the government hospital of Jhunjhunu, three rescued people sustained serious injuries. Afterwards, they were referred to Jaipur for treatment.
