A Barrick Gold employee was killed at its Hemlo Mine Complex near Marathon, Nov. 27.
The company released a statement that Eulogio (Bot) Gutierrez, a 60-year-old survey technician, died after being struck by a piece of mobile equipment in the underground mine.
The incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. No other injuries were reported.
Gutierrez joined Barrick in 1987 at Hemlo. He leaves behind a wife, son, and daughter.
The Hemlo property consists of the Williams underground and open-pit mine. It is located 46 kilometres east of Marathon, near the north shore of Lake Superior.
“On behalf of the entire Barrick team, our thoughts are with the Gutierrez family at this tragic time, and we share in their grief,” said Barrick President Kelvin Dushnisky in a news release.
"We deeply regret the tragic loss they are feeling. Our thoughts are also with everyone at Hemlo who counted Bot as a friend and colleague for more than 30 years.
“We will devote all available resources to determining the causes of this incident so that we can work to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.”
Janet Deline, a Ministry of Labour spokesperson, said by email that the worker was fatally injured after being struck by a scoop. The scene was ordered to be left undisturbed.
Two ministry inspectors, an ergonomist, and an engineer were at the scene on Nov. 28 as the investigation continues.
