Mining safety review 'accomplished what we wanted to accomplish'

A review into mining safety is making eighteenrecommendations altogether, but one at the top of the list is important to both the union and the family of two men who died at Stobie Mine in Sudbury four years ago.

The key recommendation is that mining companies must develop formal water management programs to get rid of excess water where miners are working.

It is a point that was tragically illustrated four years ago when Jordan Fram and Jason Chenier were killed because of a build-up of water and muck.

United Steelworkers Local 6500 president Rick Bertrand said it's a bit of closure.

"You know, where this started after the fatality at Stobie Mine, and having water management be a big part of it is definitely a plus," he said.

Jordan Fram's mother, Wendy, was part of the committee that came up with the eighteenrecommendations.

She said it was hard work but satisfying.

"We've accomplished what we wanted to accomplish which is very huge," she said.

"[It's] very huge for the City of Sudbury, for Ontarians, maybe for mining across the world."

Fram said it's been a hard year for her family.

"It's been a very long road for us," she said.

"A lot of heartache, sadness and happiness altogether. I feel that with this review, we came a remarkable, substantial way."

A coroner's inquest into the death of Fram and Chenier is scheduled to start on Monday.