7 May 2020
De Beers Group is proud to accept two prestigious mine safety awards announced by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) in recognition of exceptional safety performance at Gahcho Kué Mine and Victor Mine during 2019.
Gahcho Kué has received the national 2020 John T. Ryan Award in the Select Mines category for having one of the lowest injury frequency rates among operating mines in Canada. This is the fourth safety award received by Gahcho Kué, including the 2016 and 2019 Workplace Health and Safety Award from the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and the 2017 Hatch-CIM Mining & Metals Project Development Safety Award. During 2019, Gahcho Kué reduced the number of injuries by 38% compared to 2018 and had zero lost time injuries during the year.
For the third consecutive year, Victor Mine which is now in the closure phase, has won the 2020 eastern regional John T. Ryan Award in the Select Mines category. This recognition was received for safety performance as the mine completed production through the first half of last year. Victor also received the eastern regional John T. Ryan award in both 2017 and 2018 and the mine won the national John T. Ryan award for Select Mines in 2015 and 2016. At Victor, 97% of all days worked during 2019 were “triple zero” with no first aids, no medical aids, and no lost-time injuries.
Mpumi Zikalala, Managing Director of De Beer Group Managed Operations said: “To have both of our Canadian operations recognized as being among the safest mines in the country is an outstanding achievement and reflects the strong commitment to zero harm by all our employees. During its life of mine, Victor Mine has been exemplary in its commitment to zero harm, maintaining this until closure. I have all the confidence that the Gahcho Kué team will continue to be the mining safety leader in Canada.”
Gahcho Kué mine in the Northwest Territories is a joint venture between De Beers Group (51%), the Operator, and Mountain Province Diamonds (49%). Victor, located in the James Bay lowlands of Northern Ontario, is 100% owned by De Beers Group.