Higher-level investigation team enters site at mining plant in N.China’s Inner Mongolia to probe accident that kills 6

The local government in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has formed an accident investigation team to conduct a higher-level inquiry into the incident that killed six university students at a mining company under China National Gold Group Co, Ltd in Hulunbuir. The team aims to quickly determine the cause of the incident, clarify the nature of the accident, and propose corrective measures, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The investigation team has already entered the accident site to carry out relevant work, Xinhua reported on Friday.

Six university students drowned on Wednesday after falling into a flotation cell during a study visit at a copper-molybdenum ore-dressing plant in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, local emergency authorities have said, Xinhua reported.

The accident occurred at approximately 10:20 am Wednesday at the plant, which is operated by a mining company under China National Gold Group Co, Ltd in Hulunbuir, according to the municipal emergency management bureau, Xinhua reported. The students, all of whom attended Northeastern University, were observing flotation processes when a grid plate collapsed, causing them to plunge into the flotation cell.

All six were rescued from the cell but later pronounced dead by medical personnel. A teacher was also injured in the incident, Xinhua reported.

All production and operational activities in the factory area have been suspended, and the workshop where the accident occurred has been cordoned off, CCTV News reported.

According to the emergency command center for the incident in Hulunbuir, the flotation production internship is an important practical component in the training of talent for the mineral processing engineering program at Northeastern University, CCTV News reported.

The training program stipulates that it is worth two credits and is a required course conducted during the summer vacation. On-site learning in the flotation workshop is a necessary part of the flotation production internship, according to the CCTV News report.

According to the CCTV News report, around 10:20 am on Wednesday, a fall accident occurred while the teachers and students were visiting the flotation workshop. Upon hearing students shout that someone had fallen into the flotation cell, the on-site staff immediately pressed the emergency stop button on the flotation machine and used a walkie-talkie to call for help from colleagues, notifying the control room to stop operations and evacuating the teachers and students to a safe location. During the period, the on-site staff also found the teacher who had fallen from mid-air and implemented rescue measures immediately, according to CCTV News.

At 12:01, the first person was rescued; at 12:40, the last person was rescued, according to CCTV News. It has been reported that the six deceased university students were aged between 20 and 22 years old. The teacher who was injured in the incident is currently recovering, according to CCTV News.

Currently, Zhongjin Gold Corporation has set up an on-site command center, where relevant follow-up work is being carried out, an employee from the company told the Global Times on Thursday, adding that they will provide updates in a timely manner.

Zhongjin Gold announced on Thursday night that the Inner Mongolia mining plant has suspended production. The company will actively and appropriately promote follow-up work, according to Shanghai Security News.