A 26-year-old Quebec man who died on a mine site Wednesday was riding in a bulldozer when a tree fell on the machine, says the Ministry of Labour.
Ontario Provincial Police, which is assisting the coroner’s office in the investigation, say the incident occurred around 5 p.m. at the Holt Mining Project near the Quebec border, about 60 kilometres east of Matheson, Ont. on Highway 101.
Bruce Skeaff, a Ministry of Labour spokesperson, said two inspectors are on site.
"The preliminary reports we have are that two workers were on their way out of the site with a bulldozer when a tree fell against the bulldozer door, hitting the worker and resulting in fatal injuries," said Skeaff.
He said the ministry is unable to say at this point why the tree fell.
A statement from St. Andrew Goldfields Ltd., which operates the site, said the worker, who police have identified as Michel Fournier Bolduc, 26, of Rouyn, Que., was an employee of Orbit Garant Drilling and was working on the property.
“We are very saddened by this news and our sincere condolences go out to the family, fellow workers, and friends,” said Duncan Middlemiss, president and CEO of SAS, in a statement on the company’s website. “SAS is fully engaged in the ongoing investigation, as well as providing support to family and employees at the mine site, as well as to Orbit as it may be required. We remain committed to the health and safety of our employees and contract employees on all of our sites.”
Orbit Garant issued a statement as well, saying it was offering assistance to the victim's family and colleagues.
The Quebec-based company says it is cooperating with regulatory authorities investigating the fatality and will conduct its own investigation as well.
Orbit Garant says no one else was injured in the incident.
Surety de Quebec have notified Bolduc’s next of kin.
The following are press releases from SAS and Orbit Garant Drilling Inc.
An employee of Orbit Garant Drilling working on the Holt Property was struck by a tree, which fatally injured him.
The Ontario Provincial Police have attended onsite, and in conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Orbit Garant, and the Company, all parties are proceeding with the investigation of this tragic incident.
"We are very saddened by this news and our sincere condolences go out to the family, fellow workers, and friends", said Duncan Middlemiss, President & CEO of SAS. "SAS is fully engaged in the ongoing investigation, as well as providing support to family and employees at the mine site, as well as to Orbit as it may be required. We remain committed to the health and safety of our employees and contract employees on all of our sites."
The employee was struck by a tree, which fatally injured him.
No one else was injured as a result of the incident.
The immediate thoughts of management are with the family, friends and co-workers of our colleague.
Orbit Garant is offering assistance and support to the individual's family and colleagues.
The regulatory authorities have been notified and Orbit Garant is cooperating fully with their investigation in order to determine the circumstances and cause of the incident.
The company is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible workplace safety standards and will therefore also be conducting its own internal investigation.
About Orbit Garant:
Headquartered in Val-d'Or, Quebec, Orbit Garant is one of the largest Canadian-based mineral drilling companies, providing both underground and surface drilling services in Canada and internationally through its 214 drill rigs and approximately 600 employees.
Orbit Garant provides services to major, intermediate and junior mining companies, through each stage of mining exploration, development and production.
The Company also provides geotechnical drilling services to mining or mineral exploration companies, engineering and environmental consultant firms, and government agencies.
For more information please visit the Company's website at www.orbitgarant.com.
