Media Release: WSCC and Sabina Gold & Silver Corp., Matrix Aviation Solutions Inc., Matrix Kitikmeot Ltd. and Gallant Restorations Incorporated Reach Alternative Measures Agreement

29th Oct 2024

Yellowknife, NT (October 29, 2024) – On October 29, 2024, the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC), working with the Attorney General of Nunavut, reached an Alternative Measures Agreement (AMA) with B2Gold Back River Corp. (formerly named Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. (Sabina), Matrix Aviation Solutions Inc., Matrix Kitikmeot Ltd. (Matrix Kitikmeot) and Gallant Restorations Incorporated (collectively, the Involved Companies).  

The AMA relates to charges under the Safety Act and Mine Health and Safety Act in connection with a January 17, 2022 incident that resulted in the death of a worker, Mr. Vincent Crowe. The charges include failure to ensure the health and safety of every person in [the companies’] establishment.

Mr. Crowe, a Matrix Kitikmeot employee, was working at Sabina’s Back River Gold District Project near Bathurst Inlet in Nunavut when the incident occurred. He was clearing snow from the ice road onsite when the D6-T Dozer he was operating went through the sea ice near a pressure ridge on the ice road.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Involved Companies are required to commit $300,000 towards the creation of a Training Initiative focused on the safe construction, operation and maintenance of ice roads for the benefit of all territorial employers. The training has an emphasis on identifying and controlling hazards associated with such work and will be designed for workers, Site Supervisors, Project Managers, Contractors and Subcontractors.

The Training Initiative will be developed in memory of Mr. Crowe and is intended to help prevent similar incidents from occurring in future.

The WSCC and defence counsel for the Involved Companies presented the Alternative Measures Agreement to the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit on October 29, 2024.

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Maggie Collins
Communications Manager
Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Northwest Territories and Nunavut
T: (867) 920-3854