LETTER TO THE EDITOR — Instability abroad threatens Canadian workers

Your obituary for Colin Spence does a disservice to our industry by not mentioning the cause of his death. I understand that he was shot in the leg while riding in a helicopter in the Philippines, and bled to death before medical assistance could be obtained. The shots came from the ground and the helicopter was hit four times. Luckily, the pilot and the other passenger, another Rio Algom geologist, were not injured.

With the demise of the domestic mining industry, Canadian geoscientists are obligated to seek work overseas in politically and socially unstable places where lethal consequences such as this are all too frequent. I personally was chased out of the Peruvian Andes by threats from Shining Path guerrillas, and have colleagues who endured the recent military coup in Niger from uncomfortably close quarters.

Governments, professional associations and, above all, our employers need to do something about this growing problem. Governments can start by supporting the mining industry again so that we can work at home where it is safe. The companies should be open about the dangers present and not send their employees into areas where threats exist. In the case of my job in Peru, it was ultimately my decision to go or not, but the company involved said the Shining Path had been subdued. Individuals can not be expected to make informed decisions, especially when they need the work.

We do not need these extra dangers in an industry that is already dangerous.

Something needs to be done so that no more widows and parentless children are added to our ranks.

J.L. LeBel, P.Eng.

Editor’s note: Details of Colin Spence’s death were published our issue dated June 17, 1996.