Ministry of Labour lays 13 charges for Lockerby Mine deaths

Both men, who worked for Taurus Drilling Services, were killed by a fall of ground at the mine.

The charges against First Nickel are in relation to:

- preventing the accumulation or flow of water that might endanger a worker;
- ensuring an effective ground support system is installed;
- requiring a report be made in writing of all dangerous conditions;
- the examination of and remediation of misfiring explosives;
- the reporting to the Ministry of Labour of misfiring or defective explosives;
- the requirement of safe ground conditions programs to be created and implemented; and
- communications regarding ground stability; and proper illumination adequate to assess ground conditions.

The charges against Taurus Drilling are in relation to:

- the examination of and remediation of misfiring explosives;
- the reporting to the Ministry of Labour of misfiring and defective explosives;
- the requirement of safe ground conditions programs to be created and implemented;
- communications regarding ground stability; and
- the requirement of proper illumination adequate to assess ground conditions.

A corporation can be required to pay a fine of up to $500,000 per charge for contraventions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.