The Colombian Golden Miners saved after about 6pm in a trap underground

Eighteen workers trapped in about 6 pm in a gold mine in Northwestern Colombia have been rescued by emergency crews, the country’s government said.

The miners rammed on Thursday at El Minon Mine, in the Antiojia region in Colombia, following the failure of the equipment, according to the AFP news agency.

After a 12-hour rescue operation, all workers are in good health, according to the National Colombia Extra Agency (ANM).

In a letter sent to the government, the local mayor at Remedios said the mine was apparently unlicensed.

The miners’ release operation ended shortly after 03:00 local time (09:00 BST) on Friday, according to the Minister of Energy of Colombia.

Rescuing video showed that the miners’ colleagues clap and applaud when they climbed from Mina’s shaft.

Yarli Erasmo Marin, a representative of the local miners Association, told the AFP News Agency that mechanical damage caused a structure designed to prevent landslides, blocking the main outcome of the mine.

Oxygen had to be given to the miners caught through hoses as they waited to be rescued, local ABC radio station reported.

AnM said in a statement that the mining community should “refrain from illegal mining activities that endanger the life and safety of participants and also affect the resources and environment of the country.”

Miner accidents are not uncommon in Colombia and dozens of deaths have been reported in recent years.