Vale Canada faces big fines in Thompson mine death

Mining giant Vale Canada has been charged with 10 counts of violating the workplace safety act in Manitoba.

The charges, laid by the province'sWorkplace Safety and Health division on Oct. 3,come after the death of a 51-year-old man in the Vale mine in Thompson in 2011.

• Manitoba mine worker dies in accident

He died after avehicle he was in fell into a pit in the mine. The pit was about30 to 45 metres deep, reports said at the time.

The man was rushed to Thompson General Hospital andlater transferred to Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre, where he died.

The man had worked with Vale for 23 years, according to the company.

Vale must now go to court to face the charges, though a date has yet to be set. A spokesperson with the province said penalties could include a fine of up to $250,000per chargefor a total not exceeding $2,500,000.

In addition, a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months could be ordered.

Company, union carried out investigation

Vale Canada spokesperson Ryan Land says the company, along with the union representing its workers, carried out an investigation.

A report containing 21 recommendations has been submitted to the province, said Land, who added that Vale is in the process of implementing those recommendations.

"We believe that there's no greater way to honour his memory than to remain vigilant in our commitment to managing risk in our workplace and ensuring that a tragedy like this is never repeated," he said.

It's the first time a mine has been charged in Manitoba in connection to the death of a worker, according to Murray Nychyporukofthe United Steelworkers Union, who said the charges area wake-up call to the industry.

"Oh, it's not just Vale. I think it's a clear message by the mines' branch that you have to provide a safe workplace and they're going to be very strict," he said.

Nychyporuk saidthere have been a number of improvements in the mine but did not state specifically what has been done.