Inquest into Stobie mine deaths makes 24 recommendations

A coroner's inquest into the deaths of two miners at Vale'sStobie Minein 2011 has resulted in 24 recommendations.

Presiding coroner Dr. David Eden thanked the four-person jury for its dedication in handling a complex case.

Thosejurors have spent about two weeks listening to witnesses testify about water hazards, miscommunication, and muck hang-ups that contributed to the run of sand and rock that buried 26 year-old Jordan Fram and 34-year-old Jason Chenier on a June evening almost four years ago.

The jury's recommendations build on the outcomes of the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review released last month.

Thejury also endorses the 42 recommendations from Vale that have been put in place since the double fatality.

Another recommendation includes a directive to the Ontario Ministry of Labour to create a database containing all coroner's inquest recommendations from years past.

The jury also recommends that Vale develop a training program for its internal system of health and safety policies called the All Mines Standard.

With a total of 24 recommendations, United Steelworkershealth and safety representative Mike Bond said Vale and the ministry will have to spend some money to put them all in place.

"Every party in the workplace let things slide and if nothing comes out of this we have to realize that we can't accept substandard conditions in our workplace," said Bond.

The families of the two men hugged all parties involved after the inquest adjourned, including attorneys, as well ascompany andunion representatives.

• On mobile? Explore the jury recommendations here