Phu Bia Mining (PBM) provided significant support for the recent cave rescue in Longcheng District, Xaisomboun Province, for Lao people who had become trapped.  This highlighted the importance of PBM and other organisations stepping up to provide essential support during an emergency.  PBM is the largest mining company in the Province and Lao, providing a significant contribution to our communities and the Lao nation. 

At this time of emergency and rapid response, PBM provided support to the on-the-ground rescue teams with food and water supplies, tents, ropes, lighting equipment, etc, and emergency medical support, including one paramedic, two fire and emergency services (FES) personnel, security personnel, and a fully equipped ambulance to treat and transport survivors.  

At the request of the Longcheng District Governor on 25 May, PBM Senior Management deployed a special team to the cave to conduct an initial assessment of the situation and other on-the-ground progress. 

The PBM support team arrived at Ban Namphagnai, Longcheng District, around 5.20 PM, approximately 40 km north-north-east of PBM’s Phu Kham Copper-Gold mine. The company also provided 10 oxygen cylinders and a gas detector to measure oxygen levels during the cave rescue, supporting the team searching for the 7 missing people inside the cave. 

Throughout the rescue mission, the PBM personnel were on standby to support the rescue teams and treat and transport cave survivors to the nearby hospital. 

During the rescue, five of the seven missing persons were located and assisted out of the cave. On 7 June, the rescue teams were stood down, and PBM personnel returned to site. The location is now sealed from public access by the Government as the level of risk to rescue teams re-entering the cave is high, and is deemed unsafe 

Thank you to all PBM personnel involved in this rescue mission, as we embrace safety as our number one priority!