Coroner's inquest: We will respect the process, Vale says

On Monday, a coroner’s inquest will begin seeking deeper answers into the reasons Vale workers Jason Chenier and Jordan Fram died in a run of muck at Stobie Mine on June 8, 2011.

That inquest begins April 20 at the Sudbury Courthouse. While the process aims to look into the circumstances of their deaths, it also will look at ways to prevent similar deaths in the future.

Vale issued a statement today, saying the testimony at the inquest will be hard to hear, but necessary to move forward.

“There will be a lot of testimony during the course of the inquest and it will be emotional for many, but will be hardest on the Fram and Chenier families,” the statement reads. “While we cannot turn back the clock, we hope the families find some comfort in the significant work done since that night to ensure this kind of tragedy never occurs again.”

The statement refers to an internal Vale investigation and plan of action that led to more than 40 recommendations for safety improvements — which were put into place the company has said. Eighteen recommendations from the province's Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review panel will also make mining safer in Ontario, Vale said.

“It is our intention to learn everything we can through the coroner’s inquest that will take place in the weeks ahead,” the company statement reads. “We will respect the process and participate fully as the coroner and jury consider the information put before them.”

Speaking with NorthernLife.ca earlier this week Fram's mother, Wendy, said she hopes the 18 recommendations unveiled this week can tie into recommendations that come from what she expects will be an “emotional” inquest.

“The inquest is a little bit different because it's more on a personal level for us,” Fram said. “I think it's going to be a little more emotional.”