Québec City, September 18, 2020 – Agnico Eagle Mines’ Goldex Mine and Canadian Malartic G.P.’s Malartic Mine were two of the three mines that received a prestigious F.J. O’Connell trophy at the 54th annual award ceremony organized by the Québec Mining Association (QMA). The trophies recognize a company’s achievements in the area of workplace health and safety (WHS).
Goldex Mine won the trophy in the “Underground mining – over 400,000 hours worked” category, while Canadian Malartic Mine received its award in the “Surface, transportation and primary metals processing” category. The winner of the third F.J. O’Connell trophy was K+S Windsor Salt Ltd.’s Seleine Mines from Îles-de-la-Madeleine, in the “Underground mining – under 400,000 hours worked” category.
The trophies have been presented annually since 1966 to raise awareness among workers and supervisors about the importance of teamwork in preventing accidents during mining operations. The criteria for the awards also take improved performance, performance compared to the industry average, and the combined accident rate into account using pre-determined target values.
« The QMA, which was founded in 1936 in order to improve the health and safety record in mines, believes in the importance of recognizing the commitment and exemplary efforts made by mining companies and their employees with respect to workplace health and safety. For this reason, for the last 54 years the QMA has presented F.J. O’Connell trophies to highlight the efforts made to create a safe working environment for all. Mining companies have focused on prevention, and this is reflected in the results achieved. »
« During the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of employees and their families has become a primary concern. Québec’s mines have been able to combine the implementation of public health measures with an ongoing precautionary focus on accident prevention. We can be proud of the effort made by Québec’s mining companies, which show once again that WHS is taken very seriously by the mining community. »
– Josée Méthot, présidente-directrice générale de l’AMQ
About the Québec Mining Association
The Québec Mining Association (QMA) was founded in 1936 and speaks proactively for mining companies involved in exploration, extraction and processing, mining contractors and junior mining companies, along with suppliers, institutions, non-profit organizations and other mining sector partners. It is proud of the 40,540 jobs and total expenditure of $8.5 billion generated by Québec’s mining industry over the last year. The QMA’s mission is to promote, support and proactively develop a responsible, committed and innovative mining industry in Québec.