Date: December 16, 2019
Location: Thompson, Manitoba (CA)
Address: Hwy 6 1 Inco Rd, R8N 1P3
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Nickel Dust
Industry: Nickel Mining
Equipment: Unknown
Company: Vale Manitoba Operations
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Two Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company’s website, Vale Manitoba Operations is the Manitoba presence for Vale, a global mining company headquartered in Brazil. It consists of the Thompson and Birchtree Mines along with the Thompson Mill, Thompson Smelter and Thompson Refinery. The operation employs about 1,500 people and covers approximately 250 acres.
Incident Description:
On December 16, 2019, the Thompson Citizen reported a fire at a nickel mining operation in Thompson, Manitoba.
The fire broke out in the crushing area at around 9:30 a.m. All mill employees were evacuated and stench gas was released to alert those working at neighboring mines.
The Vale firefighting team and Thompson Fire & Emergency Services quickly responded. The company confirmed via an update issued at 12:18 p.m. that the fire was extinguished.
Two employees were treated for minor smoke inhalation and a number of contractors received first aid at the scene. The mill was shut down for the rest of the shift and the crew on the next shift carried out a fire watch to make sure the fire did not restart.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Sources:
Thompson Citizen
