Investigators investigate third fatality at northwest BC mining site since 2018

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The BC Mine Safety Authority is investigating a fatality at Newcrest Mining’s Bruce Jack gold mine north of Stewart. This is his third workplace death at the facility since its opening in 2018.

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The death of a worker employed by Brucejack’s main contractor, Procon Mining and Tunneling, occurred in an “isolated incident” during underground operations on October 22, with mine rescue teams working with authorities around the clock. got access to the site. It is described as a “complex task”.

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The identities of the workers have not been released “to respect the privacy of the families during this very difficult and emotional time,” said Vlada Cvijetinovic, Newcrest’s vice president of North American legal and investor relations. increase.

The latest incident was the last two deaths in which a mine or its contractors were disciplined by WorkSafeBC and BC’s Chief Mine Inspector for failing to ensure workers had insufficient safety training. following an accident.

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Operations at the mine, located about 940 km north of Vancouver, remain suspended, but the Department of Energy and Mines Research Division, which is responsible for mining site safety in British Columbia, is conducting an investigation in partnership with the local RCMP. increase.

Newcrest CEO Sandeep Biswas said the company and Procon are cooperating with authorities in an investigation following “devastating news that no one wants to hear.”

“The loss of a colleague is far-reaching and lasting,” Biswas said in a statement.

Cvijetinovic, who was unavailable for an interview, said in an email response to Postmedia’s question that the company’s “team is currently working on a reopening plan with safety as a top priority.”

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“What we learn from these studies will inform the measures taken to improve safety across the organization,” said Cvijetinovic. Newcrest acquired Vancouver-based Pretium Resources.In 2021, he acquired the Brucejack mine.

According to Brad Cox, manager of the department’s Regulatory Control and Enforcement Division, BC’s chief mine inspector “ensures workers receive a full orientation and basic instructions on safe work practices. and fined Pretium $150,000.

In that July 2020 incident, a worker involved (a contractor who was on-site to remove a blocked tailings line) was hit and seriously injured in the head and evacuated by helicopter to Mills Memorial Hospital on Terrace. and died two days later.

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According to the decision, Pretium management did not dispute the circumstances presented by investigators, but insisted the company has a comprehensive safety orientation and training program.

However, “for unknown reasons”, two company supervisors and three employees took action, resulting in fatal injuries to workers.

And in 2019, WorkSafeBC fined contractor Tsetsaut Ventures $160,000. That’s because it didn’t provide proper health and safety training to new recruits who were fatally injured in an accident in 2018 when an inflated tire blew out.

The investigation fell under WorkSafeBC’s jurisdiction because it was conducted in a workshop that was part of a mining camp, rather than the mine itself. Workplace safety advocates argue that the agency should also take the initiative in enforcing mine safety.

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“Our position has always been that everything would be better under WorkSafe,” said Scott Raney, director of the National Steelworkers’ District 3.

The union does not represent Bruce Jack’s employees, but it does represent workers at New Crest’s other operations as well as other mines in the state.

But Lunny said the state has improved its investigation and enforcement units, added more officers and improved safety audits as part of an ongoing review of mining laws.

“Generally, we continue to put pressure on the Ministry of Mines on many issues, but we are pretty happy with the move over the past few years on separating enforcement and investigation,” said Ranney. .

deppenner@postmedia.com

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