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HUNTINGTON – Rescuers know the location of six miners who were trapped underground Monday after a cave-in in a mine tunnel, but it remains unclear whether the men are still alive.

The mining company’s director, Robert Murray, said in a televised press conference that no expense will be spared to reach the men as four teams of about 200 rescuers tried to reach the men by digging from several directions. The miners should have access to enough food, water and oxygen to survive several days in the mine shaft if necessary, he said.

Initial reports said the collapse had been caused by a small 4.0 earthquake. But experts later revised that estimate saying that the mine collapse itself may have registered as an earthquake or even set off one.

“We don’t know whether the collapse is the chicken or the egg,” said May Wilson, a spokeswoman for the State of Utah.

The miners are believed to be about 500 metres below ground and about seven kilometres from the entrance to the mine, which is operated by Utah American Energy.

Southeastern Utah has a history of past mine disasters. In 2000, two men died during an explosion at the Willow Creek mine; in 1984, a fire in the Wilberg mine killed 27; a 1924 explosion took 172 lives at the Castle Gate mine, and the Scofield mine disaster of 1900 claimed 200.