BRIGUS GOLD CORP. BLACK FOX MINE MUCKING INCIDENT

Pertinent Information WHERE: On the 9745 L in #5 remuck. WHEN: April 14 th, 2011 on night shift at 11:20 pm. EQUIPMENT: Sandvik LH yard scoop. PEOPLE INVOLVED: Geologist/Scoop Operator.

WHAT HAPPENED? The scoop operator was re-mucking on the 9745 L from #5 re-muck to #7 re-muck; there was also another scoop re-mucking from #3 re- muck to #6 re-muck and 30 ton trucks were also being loaded at the #5 re-muck at intermittent times. The geologist had been sampling in a few different headings within the 9745 L and once completed decided to leave the level.

WHAT HAPPENED? The geologist then realized that he had forgotten to take muck samples out of the #5 re-muck; so he decided to return to the #5 re-muck and collect the samples that he needed. While he was taking his samples at the #5 re- muck the two scoops returned one scoop following the other; where one scoop continued past the #5 re-muck and proceeded to the #3 re-muck and the other scoop proceeded to slowly enter the #5 re-muck.

WHAT HAPPENED?   The operator noticed that the UPC geology buggy was still parked just before the entrance to the #5 re-muck where there is a large hump on the floor in the ramp, but assumed that the geologist was in a different area of the mine.   The geologist noticed that the scoop was entering the re-muck; so he waited for the scoop to come to a complete stop.   He then noticed that the scoop was not going to stop; so he turned to attempt to climb the muck pile, but the muck was undermined from under his feet by the scoop consequently causing the geologist to fall and roll onto his back in the 8 yard scoop bucket.

WHAT HAPPENED? The geologist then began to shake his head from side to side flashing his cap lamp light at the back (ceiling) of the re-muck; which is when the scoop operator noticed that there may be someone in the re-muck, he stopped the scoop immediately and proceeded to verify if in fact there was someone in the re-muck and realized that the geologist was in the 8 yard scoop bucket.

upc Scoop #2 geo Scoop #1

IMMEDIATE/DIRECT CAUSES: Failure to warn, Failure to secure/make safe, improper placement: The geologist did not communicate to the scoop operator that he would be working in #5 re- muck. There were not any barricades in place to warn other personnel of someone working in the #5 re-muck. The geologist put himself in harms way by staying in front of the scoop as entered the re- muck.

IMMEDIATE/DIRECT CAUSES: The scoop operator did not stop when he noticed the geology buggy parked just before the entrance of the #5 re-muck. Both the geologist and the operator were not in possession of a two-way radio. There was a lack a planning in regards to the area being congested with multiple pieces of equipment working that immediate area.

BASIC/UNDERLYING CAUSES: The geologist exercised poor judgment by not communicating with the scoop operator that he would be in #5 re-muck sampling. The scoop operator exercised poor judgment by not stopping to check where the geologist was located once he noticed that the geology buggy was parked just before the entrance of #5 re-muck. Geologist was not in possession of a two-way radio and all underground equipment is not equipped with base unit radios. Jumbo operators were off line and grade when they were driving the 9745L ramp.

BASIC/UNDERLYING CAUSES: Signage, barricade, flashing light program for service type employees not in place. Lack of work planning in regards to congested work areas. Re-muck located on the blind side of the equipment. Workplace entry communication program not in place. Sandvik LH 514 Scoop design is in question due to the operator blind spots while in operation.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Order and install base unit radios for all underground equipment. Review and update geology sampling procedure (include flashing beacon, barricade in a bag, reflective poles). Formalize the mucking procedure. Review the mine design criteria for re-muck locations and have the large hump on the ramp approaching the entrance removed.

Review with the jumbo operators the importance of drilling on line and grade. Formalize a pedestrian travel procedure. Formalize a communications policy for entering an active heading. Change the buggy whips for the upc geology and survey buggys from 3 foot to 6 foot. Discuss with Sandvik the possibilities of making changes to the design criteria on the LH514 Scoop. RECOMMENDATIONS:

APPROACHING THE UPC BUGGY

ENTRANCE TO RE-MUCK #5

BLIND SPOT

GEOLOGIST’S VIEW WHILE SCOOP WAS APPROACHING

GEOLOGIST’S STATURE

APPROACHING A SERVICE TYPE WORK AREA.

upc Scoop #2 geo Scoop #1

BRIGUS KEY FOCAL POINTS REVIEW COMPANY PROGRAMS REVIEW COMPANY PROGRAMS PEOPLE, MOBILE EQUIPMENT AND COMFORT LEVELS PEOPLE, MOBILE EQUIPMENT AND COMFORT LEVELS EQUIPMENT DESIGN EQUIPMENT DESIGN