Contractor killed at northern Ontario gold mine site, steel company issued two orders

There has been a workplace fatality involving a steel contractor working on the construction of a mill facility at a gold mine in northern Ontario.

The isolated incident happened just before 11 a.m. Monday at the Magino project in the Dubreuilville, Ont., area, 40 kilometres northeast of Wawa, Argonaut Gold said in a news release.

A worker sustained fatal injuries when they were struck by materials, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development told CTV News in an email Tuesday afternoon.

"The employer is Scott Steel Erectors," the ministry said.

"A ministry inspector and an engineer attended the scene and issued two orders to the employer, Scott Steel Erectors. One requirement was issued to a subcontractor, Mammoet."

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The ministry's investigation is ongoing, it said.

"We are profoundly saddened by this accident. The safety of our employees and contractors is our highest priority and the loss of this individual is a shock to us all. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family and loved ones," said Larry Radford, president and CEO of Argonaut Gold.

The mining company said it is working with authorities to investigate the cause of the incident at the open pit, conventional mill mine.

Dan Scott, president of Scott Steel Erectors Inc., released this statement Wednesday:

"We at Scott Steel are all deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident which occurred at one of our sites this week, the health and safety of all our employees, sub-contractors and fellow colleagues are our highest priority and the loss of one of our own has sent a shockwave through our entire organization.

"As this tragic incident is still under investigation by the MOL and until such time that the MOL findings are published we do not wish to make a formal statement as to what led to this tragic incident noting there is still too many speculation as to what occurred.

"Our biggest focus now is the deceased family to which we all at Scott Steel want to extend our deepest condolences to his entire family as well as the well being of all our employees across all our sites."

The identity of the victim has not been revealed.