OTTAWA, July 23 (Reuters) - Three workers are trapped

underground at a western Canadian mine operated by Newmont

Corporation ( NEM ), the company and a senior elected official

said on Wednesday, adding a rescue operation was under way.

Newmont ( NEM ) said that it has temporarily suspended operations at

Red Chris gold and copper mine in British Columbia in a

statement to Reuters.

David Eby, premier of British Columbia, said on local

television the three had been stranded after an accident

overnight.

"They are, to the best of our knowledge, uninjured and in a

refuge area," he told a televised press conference.

"Our rescue teams are exceptional, and they will be working

overtime to bring these workers home safely to their families,"

he said, but did not give details.

Newmont ( NEM ) has a 70% stake in the mine, which it operates. The

remaining 30% is held by Imperial Metals Corp. ( IPMLF )

Newmont ( NEM ) reported two "fall of ground" incidents in the

accessway to the underground work area of a non-producing part

of the mine, a term used to describe when the wall or ground of

an underground mine begins to collapse. The company said the

workers were asked to relocate to a designated refuge station.

The second "fall of ground" incident blocked the access way,

restricting communication.

"The refuge stations are equipped with adequate food, water,

and ventilation to support an extended stay," a company

spokesperson said in the statement to Reuters.

The company said that a "stand down of operations" at Red

Chris has been implemented and it is assembling specialist teams

from nearby mine sites to respond to the situation.

Newmont ( NEM ) said it is working to restore communication and

safely bring the team members to the surface.