Rambler Mines back in operation following damaging fire

Replacement equipment made its way across Newfoundland and Labrador to Rambler Mines and Metals in Baie Verte Thursday, allowing it to resume operations.

The underground mine sat idle as workers waited for replacement equipment, that was destroyed by fire Tuesday night, that could help in the event of a rescue. 

"One of our underground employees noticed some smoke coming from our mine rescue trailer complex," said Norm Williams, Rambler Mines and Metals CEO Thursday.

Fires extinguishers, rubber hoses and black ash was all that was left after a tough fire fight, that required firefighters from Baie Verte and Ming's Bight.

"The equipment that was lost in the fire — we can't operate the underground mine without that equipment," Williams said.

"We had to pull the crews from the underground in the event something happened because we wouldn't be able to get in, to get the gear and get down."

Baie Verte-Springdale MHA Kevin Pollard tweeted Friday that underground activity at the mine commenced Thursday evening. 

The rescue equipment was shipped from Ontario.

It is estimated that upwards of $500,000 worth of damage was caused by the blaze.

The cause of the fire is unknown.