SHANGHAI, Aug. 14 -- THOSE who played key roles in saving the lives of 69 trapped miners in a flooded coal mine in central China's Henan Province were rewarded for their bravery.

Yima Mine Group, owner of two coal mines near the flooded Zhijian coal mine in Shaanxian County was given two million yuan (US$263,900) for stopping its mine operations to join the 76-hour rescue effort, according to a joint statement released by the provincial government and the State Administration of Work Safety at a ceremony held at Henan's People's Hall yesterday morning.

The company also received a "Heroic Team" award and National Labor Medal, the country's top prize for laborers. Yima closed its mines and dispatched 360 people to the rescue operation every day, Henan Commercial News reported today, adding that the firm's economic loss for the shutdown may amount to millions of yuan.

The General Team of the Armed Police Force of Henan received 800,000 yuan for its bravery in the rescue while the provincial Public Security and Fire Control Team were offered 200,000 yuan, the report said.

The officers struggled to prevent more water from entering the shaft, cleared away silt and provided ventilation and oxygen to the trapped miners.

Cao Baicheng, deputy team head of Zhijian Colliery who was among the trapped victims and the last one lifted to safety in the accident, was awarded the title "Rescue Hero" with seven other workers at the mine.

Cao was praised for holding a 200-meter long and three-inch wide pipe from falling into the water with his colleagues as other trapped miners were being lifted to safety.

The pipe was crucial to the miners, giving them air to breathe. Rescuers later pumped milk, the only source of food during the ordeal, via the pipe to keep the victims alive.

Cao said he would bring the award home to encourage his 12-year-old daughter.