Miners didn't make errors before 2014 Lockerby Mine accident in Sudbury, says Ministry engineer
Three years ago, 49-year-old Norm Bisaillon and 34-year-old Marc Methe died on the job
Mike Kat, a Ministry of Labour engineer, took the stand today in Sudbury in the trial against First Nickel and Taurus Drilling Services, two companies charged with 13 offences under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Three years ago this month, 49-year-old Norm Bisaillon and 34-year-old Marc Methe were killed while working in First Nickel's Lockerby mine. They were both contractors for Taurus Drilling.
In a release following their deaths, First Nickel described the cause of the accident as a fall of material, preceded by seismic activity. Taurus Drilling was purchased by Major Drilling International in 2014 and is now a numbered company, 1370918AULC.
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But in his testimony, Kat told David McCaskill, the lawyer representing the Ministry, that there were many problems leading up to the death of the two miners.
Kat outlined three key drivers in his report about the accident: the width of the opening, excess blast vibrations and a moist environment.
He also talked about excessive blasting causing cracks and said there may have been the possibility of defective explosives.
Mine has known history of stress
Kat said that the Lockerby Mine has a known history of stress, especially at depth where Bisaillon and Methe were working.
When asked if this tragedy could have been prevented, Kat said there were a number of opportunities to stop and take a look at what was happening.
In another instance he told the court that he felt that the two miners didn't make any errors before the accident.
First Nickel is not represented in court. The company went into receivership in 2015 and is not offering up a defense.
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In cross examination, John Illingsworth, the lawyer representing Taurus Drilling, questioned some of the work done by another contractor who had developed the area prior to the production work.
These miners' deaths came a month to the day after another mining fatality in Sudbury. Paul Rochette, 36, died in an incident at Vale's Copper Cliff smelter on April 6, 2014. His colleague suffered serious injuries.
In 2015, an explosion at First Nickel mine injured four people.
The case will resume July 19.