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VICTORIA – B.C.’s mining safety record continues to
improve despite the tremendous growth of the mining industry, said Minister of
State for Mining Kevin Krueger, who recognized several B.C.-based companies
during the annual Mine Safety Awards held last night.
“These awards recognize the dedication of industry,
unions and workers who are committed to safe mine practices as well as ministry
staff who perform safety audits and training,” said Krueger. “It is important
to remember that while B.C. has experienced tremendous growth in this sector,
mining remains one of the safest heavy industries in the province, and we are
committed to the protection of mine workers and the natural environment.”
Mining industry representatives from across B.C.
gathered in Victoria to celebrate the 45th annual
mine safety awards ceremony. The awards are presented annually by the ministry
to mines and quarries that have the lowest injury-frequency rate in the
previous calendar year. Eligible operations this year were those that
accumulated 15,000 or more worker hours between the period of Jan. 1 and Dec.
31, 2006. Awards were presented in the following categories:
Certificate
of Achievement – presented to participants with an injury
frequency rate of zero. This year’s recipients are: Allard Contractors Ltd.
(Mission); Allard Contractors Ltd.(Haney); Ash Grove Cement Company (Texada
Island); Butler Brothers Supplies Ltd (Saanichton); Lafarge Canada Ltd.
(Coquitlam); Graymont Western Canada Ltd. (Cache Creek); Jack Cewe Ltd. (Jervis
Inlet), Plateau Construction Ltd. (Kamloops) and Butler Brothers Supplies Ltd.
(Duncan).
Stewart
O’Brian Safety Award – presented to operations that worked a minimum of
35,000 but less than 200,000 worker hours in the competition period and having
the lowest injury-frequency rate. This year’s recipients are: Lafarge Earle
Creek, (Egmont); Orca Sand and Gravel Ltd. (Port McNeil); Certain Teed Gypsum
Canada Inc. (Windermere); Lafarge Canada Inc. (Abbotsford); Texada Quarrying
Ltd. (Texada Island) and Western Canadian Coal, Dillon Operation (Tumbler
Ridge).
Edward
Prior Award – presented to operations that worked a minimum of
200,000 but no more than one million worker hours in the competition period and
having the lowest injury-frequency rate. This year’s recipient is: Elk Valley
Coal Corporation, Coal Mountain Operations (Sparwood).
John Ash
Award – presented to operations that worked a minimum of one million worker
hours in the competition period and having the lowest injury-frequency rate.
This year’s recipient is: Elk Valley Coal Operations, Elkview Operations
(Sparwood).
Small
Underground Award – presented to Quinsam Coal Corporation, Quinsam
Coal Mine (Campbell River).
The B.C. mining industry has continually improved
its health and safety practices. As of 2005, the open pit coal and metal mines
both had an injury rate of two per 100 person-years. Underground metal mines
experienced an injury rate of three injuries per 100 person-years. All of these
rates are lower than forestry, food and beverage products, metal and
non-metallic mineral products, general and heavy construction, warehousing and
transportation.
The injury rate in the coal industry dropped from four
per 100 person-years of employment in 1997 to two per 100 person-years of
employment in 2003 and to a low of one in 2004 and two in 2005. The open pit
metal mining industry injury rate has remained consistent at two per 100
person-years of employment from 2001 to 2005.
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Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources 250 952-0628 250 213-6934 (cell) |
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