More than a dozen workers trapped in Russian gold mine

Thirteen workers are believed trapped in the Pioneer mine in Russia following a rock fall. The mine in the Amur region bordering China, owned by London-listed Petropavlovsk, is among the country's largest gold mines.

According to Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations, search and rescue efforts are underway, and a group of rescuers was sent through the ventilation slope of the underground mine.

"Communications are restored, and mechanised clearing of the transport slope is carried out," the ministry said on Telegram.

Petropavlovsk found itself in hot financial waters due to sanctions against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, the miner said it had been unable to make interest payments to Gazprombank due to Western sanctions against the latter and suspended its shares not long after.