EMERGENCY response teams have rushed to Solomon Islands largest gold mine after a reported tunnel collapse early today.
InDepth Solomons reports that police units are also on site at the Gold Ridge mine on Guadalcanal Island.
It is understood that up to 10 informal miners not employed by Gold Ridge Mining Limited may have been within the mine area when the collapse occurred. It is unclear whether they were underground.
Police and emergency response teams are cooperating on site and eyewitnesses have told Solomon Islands media that earthmoving equipment has been mobilised on site as the search continues.
Wanguo Resources of Hong Kong owns 70 per cent of the mine while the remainder belongs to AXF in Australia (20 per cent) and local owners (10 per cent).
