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Valley mines in on B.C. safety awards
The province is holding the 55th annual Mine Safety Awards to honour mining operations for their work to ensure mining remains one of British Columbia’s safest heavy industries.
And two regional mines, one in the Columbia Valley and one in the Elk Valley are receiving honours.
Each year, the awards are presented to mines and quarries for managing crews who have accumulated 15,000 or more worker hours with the lowest injury-frequency rate in the previous calendar year. The companies recognized are leaders in workplace safety in an industry that is essential to B.C.’s strong and growing economy.
In 1969, B.C. was one of the first jurisdictions in Canada to introduce health and safety legislation and regulations for mines and B.C.’s mining sector continues to be one of the safest and most responsible in the world. Government presents the Mine Safety Awards each year to recognize industry, workers, unions and ministry staff for their effort and continued commitment to implementing the high standards of health and safety for workers.
Today, B.C. has more than 30,000 people employed in mineral exploration, mining and related sectors. Ensuring the safety of workers, the public and the environment is essential to securing a strong future for this job creating industry.
“The mining sector is vital to our province’s economy and it’s important to recognize the people and companies that have contributed to making mining one of our safest heavy industries. Tonight’s awards honour mining operations that have shown their dedication to meeting and exceeding our province’s high safety standards. Congratulations to tonight’s award recipients and thank you for the work you do,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Kootenay East MLA.
The Mine Safety Awards were established in 1961 by the B.C. minister of mines and petroleum resources to recognize the safety record of mines in B.C.
2016 Mine Safety Award recipients
The Ministry of Energy and Mines recognized the following companies for their exceptional safety records throughout the 2016 calendar year:
Certificate of Achievement:
CertainTeed Gypsum Canada Inc. – Windermere
Plateau Construction Ltd. – Harper Ranch Quarry
Jack Cewe Ltd. – Treat Creek
Mainland Sand and Gravel ULC – Jamieson Quarry and Maple Ridge Sand and Gravel
Imperial Limestone Co. Ltd. – Imperial Limestone Co. Ltd.
Copcan Civil Ltd. – Northwest Bay Quarry
Allard Contractors Ltd. – Mission Pit
Peace River Coal Inc. – Trend-Roman Mine
Abbotsford Gravel Sales Ltd. – Abbotsford Gravel
Stewart/O’Brian Award:
Mainland Sand and Gravel ULC – Cox Station
LafargeHolcim – Central Aggregates
Lafarge Canada Inc. – Pitt River Quarries
532470 BC Ltd. – Ward Pit
LafargeHolcim – Earle Creek
Orca Sand & Gravel – Orca Sand & Gravel
Fraser Pacific Enterprises Inc. – Sumas Shale Quarry
Edward Prior Award:
Copper Mountain Mine Ltd. – Copper Mountain Mine
John Ash Award:
Teck Coal Ltd. – Greenhills
Gibraltar Mines Inc. – Gibraltar Mine
Small Underground Mines Award:
JDS Silver – Silvertip
Large Underground Mines Award:
New Gold Inc. – New Afton Mine
Lead image: A Windermere gypsum truck heads north up Highway 93. e-KNOW file photo
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