Mines Minister responds to Macdonald

Krueger says more inspectors being hired but inspecting every mine site once a year would be impossible

By CAROLYN GRANT
Kimberley Daily Bulletin

April 10, 2008

In recent weeks, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald has been critical of Mines Minister Kevin Krueger and his response to the jury recommendations from the Coroner’s Inquest into the Sullivan Mine accident.

In particular, Macdonald focused on Recommendation 12, which required that the Ministry establish minimum yearly inspections of all mine sites and increase the penalty provision to be enforced in reflection of the seriousness of non-compliance.

Minister Krueger has contacted the Bulletin and asked for an opportunity to respond to Macdonald’s statements.

“I take issue with MLA Norm Macdonald’s interpretation of our dialogue in the Legislature last week regarding the Sullivan Mine coroner’s inquest recommendations.  It appears the Opposition still doesn’t seem to grasp what we’ve done to ensure mining continues to be one of the safest industries in the Province.

“All of the coroner’s inquest recommendations were closely reviewed by a tripartite Code Review Committee consisting of representatives from mine management, unions and the Ministry.  All of the committee recommendations have been incorporated into the recently revised Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in BC.  The amendments include adopting new reporting requirements in the event of an accident or dangerous occurrence and creating consistency with WorkSafeBC standards.  There is a comprehensive compliance structure in the Mines Act and the ministry can – and does – shut down an operation, if it deems there are risks to workers.  The committee did not recommend any change to the Code after its review of the coroner’s recommendations #12.

“Mr. Macdonald knows full well there are over 10,000 permitted mine sites in BC and mine inspections are based on risk assessment and non-compliance with health and safety provisions in the Mines Act.  Last year there were over 700 inspections carried out at BC mines.  It would be physically impossible to inspect every mine annually.

“We committed to hiring 20 new inspectors in BC.  Currently we have hired 16 and more are in the works.

“Inspections play an important role in ensuring the continued health and safety of mine workers and we will do whatever needs to be done if there are risks or safety violations in our mines.”

Macdonald is unimpressed with Minister Krueger’s statement and remains adamant that there needs to be action around Recommendation 12.

“The main point is that very clearly there regulations that weren’t followed.  The Coroner’s jury spent a week looking at the circumstances around the accident, hearing testimony and they came up with recommendations including the one that there is need for meaningful penalties in place for companies who do not follow the rules.

“That was clear and the Minister was reluctant to move.  He has chosen not to follow the recommendation.  It’s also clear that it’s a recommendation that Teck Cominco and other mining companies would not be in favour of.  It is also clear that Teck Cominco this year is the major donor of the BC Liberals.”

The Victoria Times – Colonist report on April 5, 2008 that ‘mining giants Teck Cominco and Goldcorp – who gave $118,000 and $79,000 respectively – were among the largest single donors’. 
“That seems to trump the direction given by the jury,” Macdonald said.  “The people of Kimberley will not accept decisions made that way.  The government is elected to serve the public interest.  I will continue to push the government to do the right thing, to do right by the families of the victims, to do right by the work of the jury and to do right by the people of Kimberley.”

Macdonald says that there is no question that there has been improvement in Mines legislation as a result of the jury recommendations.

“But underpinning that is the need to increase inspections and penalty provisions that are meaningful.”