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A man has died while working at a coal mine in British Columbia’s East Kootenay region, near the boundary with Alberta.
Elk Valley RCMP say police were notified Thursday at 7 a.m. local time that a 39-year-old man from Hosmer had been reported missing at Elk Valley Resources’ Elkview Operations in Sparwood, B.C., located about 150 kilometres southwest of Calgary.
Police say Elk Valley rescue teams immediately began searching for the man, with RCMP providing assistance, and his remains were confirmed to have been found Friday morning.
In a statement, mine owner Glencore Canada confirmed the man was a contracted employee who was doing maintenance at the time of the incident.
“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of this person. This is an incredibly difficult time for our Elkview Operations workforce,” said Mike Carrucan, CEO of Elk Valley Resources.
He said the company is providing support services and counselling to the workforce.
RCMP Cpl. Brett Urano said police have been able to notify the man’s family.
Police are now on scene along with the B.C. Coroners Service, and the B.C. Mining Ministry has been notified and will also be attending the investigation.
Glencore said it will be doing a full investigation into the death.
No other information on the circumstances surrounding the death has been released.
CBC News has reached out to B.C.’s workplace regulator, WorkSafeBC, and is waiting to hear back.
