“The first well was drilled 170 meters from the surface, water was discovered. The second well was drilled to 175 meters, water and ice were discovered. The third well was drilled to 150 meters, water was discovered,” the department said in a statement.
Rescuers began drilling a fourth well to a depth of 295 meters.
TASS previously reported that most of the emergency rescue work at the mine was suspended.
The managing director of the Pioneer mine has been charged with violating safety requirements during work following the collapse.