Vale set to face charges in miners' deaths

Vale and one of its supervisors are scheduled to appear in a Sudbury courtroom Aug. 14 to answer to charges laid in connection to the deaths of two miners at the company's Stobie Mine last year.

Jason Chenier and Jordan Fram were killed June 8, 2011 when they were buried by a run of muck.

After an investigation by the Ministry of Labour, nine charges were laid against Vale under the Occupational Health and Safety Act May 31. Six charges were also laid against the supervisor, whose name is Keith Birnie.

The court appearance will start at roughly 9:30 a.m. in courtroom E, according to information provided by Ministry of Labour spokesperson Matt Blajer.

Many of the charges relate to the accumulation of water in Stobie Mine before the miners' deaths.

Steelworkers Local 6500, which represents Vale's miners, said in their own report the accumulation of water was one of the factors leading to the accident.

When the union officials learned of the charges, they said they were warranted, but don't go far enough, as they're calling for an inquiry into mining practices in the province, as well as possible criminal charges.

For its part, Vale said in a May 31 press release that it was “in the process” of reviewing the charges.

“As this is a very serious matter, we need to consider the charges very carefully before we determine how we will proceed,” Vale said, in the press release.

“Until that time, and as this is now before the court system, we will not be commenting further on this matter.”