An investigation has been launched by the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board into alleged workplace safety violations at Tagish Lake Gold Corporation’s exploration site, 80 kilometres south of Whitehorse.
Officials from both the board and company are staying mum about the nature of the alleged offence.
Peter Torn, a lawyer for the company, said on Thursday that drillwork continues at the site, contrary to claims made in a radio report that stated the operation had been halted.
He didn’t return calls later, when board officials explained that an investigation was underway.
The board couldn’t say what they’ve uncovered until their investigation is complete, said Kurt Dieckmann, director of occupational health and safety.
But inspectors may issue stop-work orders if they find “immediate danger to life and health” on site, or discover a company has flouted an earlier order, said Dieckmann.
There are presently between 20 and 26 workers on site, said Torn.
The Vancouver-based mining junior currently has three drill rigs at its 170-kilometre swath of land. It plans to spend $16.5 million this year to drill 60 kilometres of core samples to prove up their claims.
This work will halt for the year in October, when the company’s exploration permit expires, said Torn.
Tagish Gold’s property includes the Mount Skukum underground gold mine, which briefly operated from 1986 to 1988. That operation left behind nearly five kilometres of underground tunnels, leaving Tagish Gold with easy access to underground ore bodies.
Contact John Thompson at
johnt@yukon-news.com.