Mining 'safer' despite recent death in Sudbury: industry leader

The chair of an international conference on mining safety says the industry is safer today than ever before despite the death of a worker in Sudbury last week.

Vik Pakalnis is the president and chief executive officer of Mirarco, a not-for-profit organization that works on mining innovations. He insists the industry is safer than it has been in years past.

"When I started in mining 35 years ago, there were six times the number of incidents and accidents and fatalities that we have today," he said. "It is a safer industry."

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Last Tuesday, Richard Pigeaudiedundergroundafter he was hit by a piece of equipment at Glencore's Nickel Rim South mine. The 54-year-old's death marked Sudbury's first mining fatality of the year.

Pakalnis says the community was hit hard by the tragic news of Pigeau's death. Despite the accident, the industry leader insists mining safety has come a long way.

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"Mining is becomingsafer, and if we look at other industries, we're probably safer than other traditional industries that you think are safe," Pakalnissaid.

"Our accident rates have decreased significantly."

Pakalnis adds people from all over the world are coming to Sudbury for the mining safety conference. It is the first time the event has been held in the Nickel City.