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Regional mines 2013 Mine Safety Award recipients
A Columbia Valley and an Elk Valley mine are among 19 mining operations to receive an annual provincial mine safety award, announced Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett June 12.
Certain Teed Gypsum Canada Inc. – a Windermere area mining operation, received recognition among mines with at least 15,000 worker hours and Teck Coal’s Coal Mountain Operation southeast of Sparwood, as well as it’s Quintette Mine at Tumbler Ridge were tops in mines with 200,000 to one million worker hours.
The mining operations were recognized for their accomplishments in mine safety at the 51st annual Mine Safety Awards banquet, which took place in Revelstoke over the June 8/9 weekend. The ministry presents the awards annually to mines and quarries that have the lowest injury-frequency rate in the previous calendar year.
“B.C.’s mining industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. With new operations and workers in the field, our government is working hard to protect mine workers through high safety standards and regular training and audits,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review and Kootenay East MLA. “These awards recognize those companies who have achieved the highest safety records.”
“It’s the daily dedication of all the participants in the mining industry – the workers, the unions, the companies – that makes mining the safest heavy industry in B.C. I’d like to thank the ministry for acknowledging the outstanding achievements of today’s recipients,” added Karina Brino, president and CEO, Mining Association of BC.
There are currently nine coal mines in operation, 10 metal mines, more than 30 industrial minerals mines, and hundreds of aggregate pits and quarries.
B.C. mines produced an estimated $8.3 billion worth of commodities in 2012 – nearly 18 per cent of the Canadian total.
The Mine Safety Awards were established in 1961 by the B.C. government to recognize the safety record of mines in B.C.
The Mine Safety Awards consist of three categories and seven different awards.
Provincial health and safety inspectors are involved in all aspects of the mining cycle. In 2012 inspectors conducted a total of 1,159 mine visits.
According to WorkSafeBC, in 2011 larger B.C. mines experienced an estimated injury rate of approximately 1.6 injury claims per 100 person years worked.
All of the mining industry’s injury rates are lower than forestry, food and beverage products, metal and non-metallic mineral products, general and heavy construction, warehousing and transportation.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines recognized the following companies for their exceptional safety records throughout the 2012 calendar year:
Certificate of Achievement – presented to operations with at least 15,000 worker hours and an injury frequency rate of zero.
Allard Contractors Ltd. – Mission Pit
Butler Brothers Supplies Ltd. – Duncan Aggregate
Butler Brothers Supplies Ltd. – Keating Pit
Certain Teed Gypsum Canada Inc. – Windermere Mining Operation
Fraser Pacific Enterprises Inc. – Sumas Shale Quarry
Jack Cewe Ltd. – Treat Creek, Jervis Inlet Mine
Plateau Construction Ltd. – Harper Ranch Quarry
Stewart O’Brian Safety Award – presented to operations with 35,000-200,000 worker hours and the lowest injury-frequency rate.
Allard Contractors Ltd. – Pit D
AuRico Gold Inc. – Kemess Mine
Lafarge Canada Inc. – Central Aggregates
Lafarge Canada Inc. – Pitt River Quarries
Lafarge Canada Inc. – Earle Creek Aggregates
Lehigh Materials – Sechelt Mine
Summit Crushing – Ward Road Quarry
Edward Prior Award – presented to operations with 200,000-one million worker hours and the lowest injury-frequency rate.
Teck Coal Ltd. – Coal Mountain Operations
Teck Resources Ltd. – Quintette Mine
John Ash Award – presented to Thompson Creek Metals (Mount Milligan) for having at least one million worker hours and the lowest injury-frequency rate.
Large Underground Mines Award – presented to Nystar (Myra Falls) and the Quinsam Coal Corporation (Quinsam Coal Mine) for the underground mine that had the lowest injury frequency rate.
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