A press conference was held this morning at Vale’s Totten Mine, the site where 39 miners were stuck underground following an incident at the mine on Sunday afternoon.

Holding the press conference was Gord Gilpin, Head of Mining for Vale’s Ontario Operations and Nick Larochelle, President United Steelworkers, Local 6500.

Gilpin explained in more detail what happened at the mine.

Larochelle says they wanted to wait until all 39 miners were out on the surface before making any comment.

Larochelle says there was never a doubt that everyone would make it out safe.

Gilpin says when thinking about the mine rescue teams, one word comes to mind and that is pride.

Gord Gilpin, Head of Mining for Vale’s Ontario Operations

Vale and the Steelworkers have launched an investigation.

Gilpin also did not comment on how long the mine would be shut down for, only that stage one was getting the miners to safety and they hadn’t put much thought into what would be next.