Ken Sandberg, 57, was killed in an underground accident at NVI Mining’s Myra Falls zinc mine on Vancouver Island, near Campbell River, B.C.
The accident happened during the midday shift when Sandberg was operating a shotcrete machine underground. It was the first accident causing death since NVI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Breakwater Resources (BWR-T, BWLRF-O), bought the mine in July 2004. The last fatality occurred in 1998 under previous ownership.
The mine was shut down on July 7 and did not resume production until the evening shift on July 8.
The accident is under investigation by B.C.’s chief inspector of mines. The RCMP has finished its investigation and ruled the death an accident.
Myra Falls currently operates two underground mines: the H-W mine and Battle-Gap. H-W is accessed by a 716-metre-deep, six-compartment shaft, which is linked to the production areas by 14 km of ramps and lateral development.
The Myra Falls concentrator can handle up to 1.4 million tonnes of ore per year and produces zinc and copper/precious metals concentrates. The company is looking at adding a lead circuit.
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