ROBOTIC assistance has been called in to help the search for a missing Mount Isa Mines worker.
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The 34-year-old miner was reported missing to police at 3.30pm on Wednesday but was last seen around 11.30am.
Mount Isa Police Inspector Trevor Kidd said support from Townsville was on its way to assist with the search for the Mount Isa Mines employee, including the bomb squad’s robotic search unit.
Inspector Kidd said local police have used the technology at Mount Isa Mines before.
The robot is capable of taking photographs and conducting searches of hard to reach areas underground.
“It’s obviously a complex industrial site so we’re utilising the expertise of Mount Isa Mines search and rescue teams to search those areas,” he said.
“Police are providing assistance with queries from the community and providing search and rescue people.
“We’ve also got the bomb squad coming over from Townsville to provide support to search in tricky areas.”
Inspector Kidd said sections operations in sections of the underground mine would remain shut down while the search for the missing man continued.
“Everyone is pitching in and working together and we’re utilising all our resources to find this man.”
A Department of Natural Resources and Mines spokesman said Glencore were leading the search, but that the department was monitoring the situation.
In a statement, MIM said "emergency procedures were activated as the search continues to locate the missing person in conjunction with the Police".
The Queensland Mining and Safety Mining Inspectorate were also on site yesterday.
Operations in the area ceased while the search for the missing employee continued.