Thunder Bay, Ont. - Conquest Resources Ltd., a gold exploration company, was fined $130,000 today for a violation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) after a worker was killed.

In December 2007, Conquest hired an independent contractor to construct an ice road on Sturgeon Lake to service the company's drilling activities.  On December 24, 2007, the worker drove onto the lake alone to begin ploughing, fell through the ice, and drowned.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the worker was not given any current, accurate information about the thickness of the ice.

Conquest Resources Ltd. pleaded guilty under the OHSA to failing, as an employer, to provide information instruction and supervision to the worker to protect his health and safety.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Raymond Zuliani.  In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge on the total, as required by the Provincial Offences Act.  The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Court Information at a Glance

Location:                    Ontario Court of Justice

                                    110 N Archibald St., Thunder Bay

                                   

Judge:                        

Justice of the Peace Raymond Zuliani

Date of Conviction:

July 24, 2009

Defendants:

Conquest Resources Ltd.

Matter:

Occupational Health and Safety

Conviction(s):

OHSA, Section 25(2)(a)

Crown Counsel:

Wes Wilson