Workers trapped in Nevada mine pit overnight

A crew of miners and drillers at an open-pit gold mine in White Pine County spent an unscheduled night at the office Sunday when a section of the mine’s wall collapsed, burying their only route out of the pit.

Barrick Gold spokesman Lou Schack said a “high-wall failure” at about 4:45 p.m. Sunday trapped the 14 workers at the Bald Mountain mine just before the end of their shift.

The workers took shelter in their vehicles through the rainy night and were flown out of the pit by helicopter just after noon Monday.

There were no reports of injuries, Schack said, but the pit will remain closed while the incident is investigated.

Schack said weather could have played a role in the collapse. After receiving some snow, the area saw warmer temperatures and rain that could have destabilized the pit wall.

Work continues in the other active pits at Bald Mountain, which ranks as one of the largest surface-mining complexes in the nation.

The mine is in the northwestern corner of White Pine County, about 75 miles southeast of the city of Elko.

Contact Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350. Find him on Twitter: @RefriedBrean