MULLAN - Despite 24-hour rescue efforts, crews have not reached the worker trapped underground at the Lucky Friday mine, Hecla Mining Company reported Sunday.

Larry Marek, 53, of Pinehurst, was trapped Friday night when a large section of ceiling collapsed inside a tunnel 6,150 feet below ground.

Rescuers have not communicated with Marek since the collapse. His condition is unknown.

Marek's brother, 54-year-old Mike Marek of Pinehurst, was also working in the area but escaped unharmed.

Crews are working 24 hours per day in 12-hour shifts, removing rock materials and debris. On Sunday workers had installed 20 feet of timber for ground support and had advanced 32 feet into the tunnel, according to a Hecla press release.

Ten crew members are underground, with another 10-15 above.

Hecla does not know the exact length of the collapse, the release said. It was contained in an area about 75 feet long.

A mucker - a low-profile front-end loader configured to work underground - is clearing rock material. Hecla is working to send a remotely-controlled mucker to the scene, which will reduce the need for additional ground support.

The remote mucker will be disassembled, brought underground and reassembled, the release said.

"We're still hopeful of a rescue," Hecla community relations representative Mike Dexter said Sunday morning. "Our total effort right now is rescue."

Larry Marek has more than 30 years of experience in the mining industry. He has worked for Hecla for 12 years.

The Lucky Friday mine has been operating for 69 years, producing silver, lead and zinc. The mine currently employs 275 workers and roughly 100 contractors.

Production at the mine has ceased while rescue efforts are under way.