An investigation is underway at the Gahcho Kué Mine site in the Northwest Territories following the death of a worker in an accident there on Thursday.
Inspectors from the territorial Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) are at the diamond mine and have started their investigation, WSCC communications officer Shannon Moore told The Northern Miner in an email.
It was not known when or if the results of the investigation would be publicly released, and no further information would be released at this time, Moore said.
The mine, located about 280 km northeast of Yellowknife is operated as a joint venture, with De Beers holding a 51% interest and Mountain Province Diamonds (TSX: MPVD; US-OTC: MPVD) 49%.
The De Beers Group said in a media release on Friday that an employee from a contractor partner succumbed to injuries sustained in an accident at the mine,
“The circumstances around what happened are under investigation by the appropriate authorities,” the release said.
“This was an extremely tragic incident and the mine joint venture partners, De Beers Group and Mountain Province Diamonds, have extended our deepest condolences to the grieving family and friends of the deceased individual. We are working closely with the contractor company to support the family as required. At the request of the contractor company, we are not sharing any personal details about the individual,” it added.
De Beers also said it commended the individual’s co-workers, the mine’s Emergency Response Team and the medical team at the mine for making “every effort to save their colleague’s life.”
A grief counsellor arrived at the mine on Thursday and counselling is available for all employees.
De Beers and Anglo American plc Group have mobilized their own teams for an internal investigation at the mine as well, De Beers spokesperson Terry Kruger said in an email Tuesday.
Production figures at the mine took a dip in the first quarter of 2021 following a 22-day shutdown in February of that year due to an outbreak of Covid-19 at the site.
Condolences to the family, staff/colleagues and friends of the lost miner.