Steelworkers disturbed by mine deaths

Three recent mining deaths in Canada have prompted the United Steelworkers union to speak out against unsafe mining practices.

Miner Jacques Frenette was killed at Noranda’s Brunswick mine near Bathurst, N.B., in early February, and another miner was killed at the nearby Caribou mine only days later. Shortly afterwards, miner Joe Cote was killed while working underground at the Detour Lake mine in northeastern Ontario.

In January, miners Wayne Campbell and Darrell Ralph were killed at the Quinsam Coal mine on Vancouver Island, B.C.

“One fatality is too many,” says Lawrence McBrearty, the Steelworkers’ national director. “Events like these usually have a history, and it is vital that such a history not be repeated. Our deepest condolences are simply not enough.”

Harry Hynd, the Steelworkers’ director for Ontario and the Atlantic region, agrees: “Despite reductions in lost-time accidents, the number of fatalities remains steady.” Hynd has called for an investigation of mining practices across Canada.