Burgundy Diamond Mines (ASX:BDM) will review safety controls with the airlines the miner utilises following the plane crash near Fort Smith, Northwest Territories in Canada that claimed multiple lives.
Burgundy, which owns and operates the neighbouring Ekati Diamond mine, notes while none of its employees or contractors were on the doomed flight, the company is engaging suppliers, partners, and stakeholders to ensure they have the support they need.
CEO and Managing Director Kim Truter says although the carrier involved in the incident is not currently utilised by Burgundy, it will reassess safety measures with the airlines it does and adopt any necessary improvements to safeguard its people.
“This terrible tragedy will have lasting consequences on our people and local communities, as we are a very close and connected community across the North. We have informed our staff about this devastating event and have offered support to those who require it.”
The charter flight crash near Fort Smith (24 January 2024) was enroute to Rio Tinto’s (ASX:RIO) Diavik mine with 7 people on board, 4 Rio Tinto employees were killed while 2 airline crew members also perished. One member of Rio’s Diavik team survived and is receiving treatment in hospital.
Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm says:“We are feeling numb with the devastating news that we have lost dear friends and colleagues. I am heading to the Northwest Territories to be with our team and to offer our full support.
We will be working closely with authorities over the coming days, weeks and months, to support their efforts to understand the full facts of what has happened.”
Write to Adam Drought at Mining.com.au
Images: Burgundy Diamond Mines
