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Mining Tragedies

Sadness greets Sudbury Lockerby Mine deaths – by Star Staff (Sudbury Star – May 7, 2014)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

It’s the responsibility of all Ontarians to work together to stop senseless tragedies from occurring in the province’s mines, says the chair of the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review.

George Gritziotis, Chief Prevention Officer for the Province of Ontario, said he was shocked and saddened Tuesday to learn of the deaths of two men early Tuesday at First Nickel’s Lockerby Mine.

Norm Bissaillon, 49, and Marc Methe, 34, contract drillers with Taurus Drilling Services, were killed in a fall of material, preceded by seismic activity, which is believed to have been a factor in the accident.

Gritziotis released a statement Tuesday saying his thoughts and prayers were with the men’s families and colleagues, and with the people of Sudbury.

“These tragedies are devastating to the community. I know the people of Sudbury, miners everywhere and all Ontarians are shaken by these tragedies,” he said.

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New documentary explores South Africa mine shootings – by Nomatter Ndebele (Reuters India – May 6, 2014)

http://in.reuters.com/

JOHANNESBURG, May 6 (Reuters) – It was like a scene from the darkest days of apartheid: South African police opening fire with live ammunition, killing 34 striking black miners demanding a “living wage” from an international firm rich in capital.

But the killings outside of the Marikana mine of platinum company Lonmin happened on August 16, 2012, almost two decades after Nelson Mandela’s “Rainbow Nation” exchanged white-minority rule for multi-racial democracy.

A new documentary “Miners Shot Down”, by South African filmmaker Rehad Desai, explores the events leading up to what has been dubbed “the Marikana Massacre”.

The film has a special resonance at the moment because most of the country’s platinum miners have been on strike for a “living wage” of 12,500 rand ($1,200) a month for the past 15 weeks and a general election will be held on Wednesday.

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Ground fall caused death of 2 contractors [Sudbury Lockerby mine] – by Star staff (Sudbury Star – May 6, 2014)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

The Greater Sudbury Police Service’s forensic unit is onsite at First Nickel Inc.’s Lockerby Mine following the death of two contractors due to a ground collapse early this morning. The Ontario Ministry of Labour and First Nickel have confirmed there was a double fatality at the site.

According to an FNI release, the workers were drillers from Taurus Drilling Service and “a fall of ground, preceded by (seismic) activity is believed to have been a factor in the accident.”

All underground activities, except emergency requirements, were suspended following the incident, which is being investigated by FNI officials and the ministry.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of two men and we extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and colleagues,” Thomas M. Boehlert, FNI’s President and CEO, said in the release. “Safety is the top priority for the Company and we will ensure this accident is fully investigated.”  The company was planning a press conference for this afternoon.

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Elemental Human Rights and Sierra Leone’s Iron Ore – by Joe Kirschke (Engineering and Mining Journal – April 16, 2014)

http://www.e-mj.com/

It was the eye of a slow-forming, powerful storm in one of West Africa’s most weathered places. In spring 2012, Bumbuna, a hamlet in a war-ravaged Sierra Leone notorious for its “blood diamonds,” witnessed a confrontation between police and workers protesting conditions at a project owned by U.K.-headquartered iron ore producer African Minerals Ltd. (AML).

Authorities said strikers tried torching an AML fuel depot and a police station, allegations disputed by human rights monitors. But the events ending April 18 were clear: After decimating the town market, police unleashed tear gas and live ammunition on the unarmed crowd—killing a female contractor while wounding eight non-employees; three officers were also injured. Sierra Leone’s independent Human Rights Commission called it a “war zone.”

Whether amid indifference, dismay or connivance—or all three—such episodes have haunted mining for generations. There’s certainly blame to circulate: Barrick Gold Corp., BHP Billiton, Freeport McMoRan and Rio Tinto—among countless others—have long been under fire. But in a world economy globalizing astride social media, bad news—fairly and unfairly—spreads quicker than ever. Consequently, environmental concerns, once at Corporate Social Responsibility’s (CSR) forefront, are taking a back seat to human rights issues—with some companies adapting quicker than others.

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Funeral Thursday for millwright killed on job – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – April 9, 2014)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

A mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Chelmsford for the millwright killed on the job at Vale’s Copper Cliff Smelter Complex on Sunday. Paul Rochette, 36, died of severe head trauma at the scene after a large piston on a belt that was crushing ingots of smelted copper-nickel broke off between the smelting and matte processing stages.

Another millwright, a 28-year-old man, suffered a concussion and facial lacerations, but was in stable condition Monday at Health Sciences North’s Ramsey Lake Health Centre. There was no word on his condition Tuesday.

Rochette is survived by his two young children, Isabella and Skyler, parents Eddy and Sue Rochette of Val Caron, sister Angele Kirwan (Ryan) of Val Caron and brother Dan (Nadine Gosselin) of Napanee. In his obituary, it said Rochette will be missed by his best friend, Jessica Daoust, as well as by several nieces and nephews, and many friends, relatives and coworkers.

Visitation will be held Wednesday at Co-operative Funeral Home in Sudbury from 2-5 p.m. and from 7-9:30 p.m. Rochette was described Monday by Vale’s Kelly Strong as experienced, skilled and well trained for his job as an industrial mechanic at the smelter’s casting and crushing plant, as was the younger millwright who was injured.

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Vale worker killed, 1 injured – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – April 8, 2014)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

Investigations into the Sunday death of 36-year-old millwright Paul Rochette at Vale’s Copper Cliff Smelter Complex have only begun, but it’s believed he died of head trauma after a piece of equipment malfunctioned in the casting and crushing plant about 6 p.m.

The president of United Steelworkers Local 6500 said a large piston called a moil, that was crushing ingots of nickel copper treated in the smelter and on the way to matte processing, released from an area that would have been under pressure.

While reports are preliminary, Rick Bertrand said it appears the industrial mechanic died instantly at the scene.
Greater Sudbury Police Service had not released Rochette’s name, but friends and family were posting on Facebook that he had been killed on the job.

A second millwright, 28, was injured and found unconscious at the scene, and was taken to hospital where he was in stable condition Monday. The smelter was shut down Sunday, and the Ministry of Labour and Greater Sudbury Police Service were called in. The ministry has control of the scene and is conducting an investigation, as are police, USW and Vale.

Bertrand said he couldn’t believe it when he received word Sunday that a member had been killed and another seriously injured on the job.

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In the aftermath [Elliot Lake Mall Collapse] – Mine Rescue – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – March 24, 2014)

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North. Ian Ross is the editor of Northern Ontario Business ianross@nob.on.ca.

Ontario Mine Rescue stood anxiously on the sidelines during the fatal Elliot Lake mall collapse, but it may prove to be a watershed event in the history and evolution of the 86-year-old volunteer organization.

In the investigative aftermath, a new relationship has sprung up between the Sudbury-based Mine Rescue and Toronto’s Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Task Force that was deployed to the Algo Centre Mall when the rooftop parking lot collapsed in 2012, killing two.

“I think it’s going to transform and reshape things,” said Alex Gryska, director for Mine Rescue. No formal mutual aid agreement has ever existed between them, but that could all change in the coming months.

The two organizations have met regularly since the conclusion of the Elliot Lake Inquiry’s testimony phase to talk about joint training exercises sometime this year. “We need to know the nature of how we (each) operate,” said Gryska.

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[Yellowknife] Giant Mine bomber now seeking day parole – by Dorothy Kosich (Mineweb.com – March 24, 2014)

http://www.mineweb.com/

Convicted of the deaths of nine miners during a bitter strike at a Yellowknife gold mine, a former miner has applied for day parole for the first time, despite being eligible since 2010.

RENO (MINEWEB) – A former miner convicted of committing one of Canada’s worst mass murders during one of the most violent mining strikes in the nation’s history is seeking day parole.

Roger Warren, who confessed and was convicted in 1995 of nine counts of second-degree murder in connection to the 1992 bombing at Yellowknife’s Giant Mine, is serving a life sentence.

The September 18, 1992, blast set by Warren exploded when a rail car transporting mining replacement workers hit a trip wire.  Between 1948 and 2004, the Giant Mine was a major economic driver for Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories.

Royal Oak bought the Giant Mine in 1990 when the price of gold dropped below mining costs. Then-mining CEO, Margaret Witte, slashed costs and increased production although the union complained that mine safety was comprised. The union went on strike in May 1992 with the strike lasting 18 months.

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Minnesota’s Worst Mining Disaster – by Angie Riebe (Mesabi Daily News – February 27, 2014)

http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/

Horrific history at Milford Mine

Feb. 5, 1924. A day of history for Minnesota. A day of heartache and heroism for young miner named Frank Hrvatin Jr. It was a day like most others at the Milford Mine, two miles north of Crosby in Crow Wing County.

Miners were laboring underground on the 175-foot and 135-foot levels of the 200-foot-deep manganese mine, owned by George H. Crosby. Frank Jr., and his dad, Frank Sr., were both hard at work that afternoon — the elder Hrvatin performing his duties as a blaster, the son laboring aside his veteran partner, Harry Hosford.

The miners had blasted an underground shaft near the adjacent Foley Lake, and Frank had just dumped ore down a transfer chute, when a sudden gust of wind hit him. It was rather strange, he thought.

But he had little time to consider it further, as rushing water appeared on the level below. “Look at the water, Harry!” Frank shouted to his partner. “Oh, my God! For God’s sake run!” replied Harry. “The whole lake has come in!” Harry’s observations proved correct. The boggy water from Foley Lake roared into the mine, filling it in no time to within 15 feet of the surface.

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NEWS RELEASE: New York Times Best-Selling Author Launches Campaign Surrounding the Anniversary of Tragic Event That Killed 65 Men

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – Feb. 19, 2014) – Local New York Times Best Selling Author Napoleon Gomez, today launches a campaign across Canada to bring attention to a tragic event that happened eight years ago, taking the lives of 65 innocent workers, whose bodies remain unrecovered.

Retold in his acclaimed book Collapse of Dignity, Gomez recounts the explosion deep in a Mexican mine and the ensuing half-hearted rescue attempts and government cover-up. Inspired by examples of public solidarity for social justice both in Canada and around the globe, Gomez was compelled to launch a bold campaign to mark the anniversary this year.

The campaign kicks off in Gomez’ home-base of Vancouver on key transit routes, supplemented and rolled out across Canada in newspapers, social media campaigns and a personal call to Napoleon’s peers and colleagues within Canada’s most reputable and largest labour unions. His message is clear: there are bodies still buried underground today and the lost miners deserve justice. Their families have never received support and their plight has never been resolved.

Frustrating for Gomez is the stark contrast to the Chilean mine tragedy in 2010, which was highly publicized and celebrated when the 33 miners were safely rescued. A Hollywood film about the 33 miners is currently in production. The Chilean accident took place just four years after the Mexican mining tragedy that saw little media support.

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South Africa: Landmark Silicosis Case Reaches a Milestone – by Sibusiso Tshabalala (All Africa.com – February 6, 2014)

http://allafrica.com/

The Legal Resources Centre (LRC) hosted a special event on 5 February 2014 to highlight its landmark silicosis case and the implications for future legislative and policy reform in South Africa. The meeting took place as part of the 5th Alternative Mining Indaba.

For ten years, the Legal Resources Centre has represented 24 former miners who worked for Anglo American Mines. The miners, who come from some of Southern Africa’s most rural areas, had worked in Anglo American mines between 1970 and 2000 and had contracted silicosis.

Silicosis is an incurable but preventable lung disease. It is caused by prolonged and severe inhalation of silica dust particles.

The prevalence of silicosis in South African mines can be traced back as early as 1903 to the Miners’ Phthisis Commission (Milner’s Commission) which deplored the unsanitary underground conditions in the mines as being “conducive to contracting infectious diseases”.

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At least eight dead in S.African gold mine accident – by Ed Cropley (Reuters India – February 6, 2014)

http://in.reuters.com/

JOHANNESBURG – (Reuters) – Rescuers recovered eight bodies and continued to search for another missing worker on Thursday after a fire and rock-fall at a Harmony Gold (HARJ.J) mine near Johannesburg, the worst accident in South Africa’s mines in nearly five years.

Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu ordered an investigation into the incident at the Doornkop mine, 30 km west (20 miles) of the city, after initial reports that the fire was triggered by a small earthquake on Tuesday evening.

“The situation is deeply regrettable,” Shabangu said in a statement. “We must ensure that we do all we can to get to the bottom of what caused this incident in order to prevent similar occurrences in future.”

It is the most serious accident in South Africa’s mines since nine workers died in a rock fall at a platinum mine in July 2009. Shares in Harmony, South Africa’s third-largest bullion producer, fell 3 percent at the start of trade.

Rescue teams battled through smoke and debris nearly a mile underground on Wednesday to reach eight other miners who had managed to flee to a refuge bay equipped with a telephone and other survival gear. They were brought to the surface unharmed.

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Silicosis: The curse of Lesotho’s miners – by Victoria Schneider (Al Jazeera.com – January 20, 2014)

http://www.aljazeera.com/

A legacy of injustice and an under-resourced healthcare system has led to generations of workers becoming gravely ill.

Maseru, Lesotho – When Lebina Liphapang last went down the world’s deepest gold mine, he was already feeling sick. He had worked underground in South Africa for 29 years, far away from his wife and children back home in Lesotho. He was a general labourer, a winch driver, then a stoker.

It was harsh, he says, working underground. The darkness, the heat. “In the early days, we didn’t have mouth or nose protection. It was hardly bearable,” he said.

He wanted to continue working, despite the conditions. But one day in 2003 he asked for his retirement package. “I thought: ‘If I continue to work here I am going to die.’ As much as it is necessary to go to South Africa and work and provide a living for my family, this work was completely hazardous to me.”

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1913 tragedy still resonates – by by Bill Lueders (Wisconsin Watch.org – December 17, 2013)

http://www.wisconsinwatch.org/

On Dec. 24, 1913, striking mine workers gathered with their families for a Christmas party at Italian Hall in Calumet, Mich. A man wearing a pin for a citizens group aligned with the mining companies entered the crowded second-floor room and shouted “Fire!”

Frightened partygoers rushed to the exit and tumbled down the stairs, on top of fallen others. Seventy-three people, including about 60 children, were killed. The community scrambled to find enough tiny caskets.
No one was ever charged for causing these deaths. A full century later, the event still haunts the Copper Country of the Upper Peninsula.

“I’ve gotten death threats,” relates Steve Lehto, a Michigan attorney who has written extensively on the tragedy. “I’ve been assaulted — literally — at book signings. I’ve had people come up to me and start screaming.”

Lehto understands and even sympathizes with such reactions, which he believes played into the decision to raze Italian Hall in 1984. The community just wants to forget; his duty as a historian is to not let that happen. “This is too important a story,” he says.

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Striking Miners, and Children Who Paid the Price – by Neil Genzlinger (New York Times – December 16, 2013)

Red Metal: The Copper Country Strike of 1913 from Jonathan B. Silvers on Vimeo.

For more info about this event, click here:  http://1913strike.wordpress.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/

‘Red Metal,’ on PBS, Revisits a 1913 Mining Strike

This has been a year of notable 50th anniversaries, but time didn’t begin in 1963. A sorrowful PBS documentary on Tuesday night notes the 100th anniversary of an event forgotten by much of the country but not by the people of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: a miners’ strike that led to a catastrophic stampede in which 73 people died, most of them children.

The program, “Red Metal: The Copper Country Strike of 1913,” is fairly generic as documentaries go, but in an age of battles over the minimum wage and concern about the distribution of wealth, it resonates. An organizing effort by the Western Federation of Miners led miners in and around Calumet to strike in July, and the companies (the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company was the biggest) were unyielding.

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