Mining death report released

(Video updated) The United Steelworkers Union has released the findings of its eight month investigation into the deaths of two miners at Vale’s mine in Sudbury last year.

The union is calling for a public inquiry, saying Vale failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent the deaths of the two miners last June. The 200-page report presents evidence that Vale knew there was a problem in the mine before the workers died.

Jason Chenier, 35, and Jordan Fram, 26, were working 900 metres underground when they were killed when a run of muck – broken rock, mixed with sand and water – came down an ore pass. The report says one of the miners warned management in the days before he died that there was a buildup of water in the ore pass, and that work should stop until the water situation was under control.

Wayne Fraser of the United Steelworkers Union: “Jason Chenier sent 2 emails to management warming them of the dangerous water levels but nothing was done and we don’t know why.”

“This isn’t an accident this is a preventable occurance of an event that had the company done its job, they would be with us today.”

Jordan Fram’s sister Brianna spoke about what life has been like for her family after the accident.

“We feel the pain of losing Jordan every day there’s never a morning I wake up and wish that all this has been a nightmare and there’s never a day that goes by that we do not shed a tear that he is gone.”

“I have come here today to ask that things change in Ontario mines. I have not only lost a brother but also my mentor and friend.”

The union is also pushing the attorney general’s office to consider criminal charges against company officials under the Westray Bill. It’s named after a 1992 coal mining disaster in Nova Scotia, and makes workplace negligence a criminal offence.

Video: Brittany Gogo reports: