Centerra reports Kumtor mechanic killed

12th April 2017 By: Henry Lazenby - Creamer Media Deputy Editor: North America

VANCOUVER (miningweekly.com) – Canadian gold producer Centerra Gold has reported a fatality at the flagship Kumtor mine, located in Central Asian country Kyrgyzstan.

The TSX-listed miner said a vehicle mechanic died in the field on Monday after he was fatally injured while inspecting a light vehicle pickup truck.

The company has launched an internal investigation and Kumtor management is working with the Kyrgyzstan regulatory authorities.

"Centerra and Kumtor are deeply saddened by this event and extend our deepest condolences to the individual's family, friends and colleagues. Centerra is committed to the well-being of our employees and contractors on all of our sites. A safe workplace and safeguarding our people is the fundamental principle of the company, and this tragedy has strengthened our commitment to our company-wide safety leadership programme, ‘Work Safe, Home Safe’,” said CEO Scott Perry in a news release.

Centerra had 13 reportable injuries in 2016, consisting of one fatal injury, seven lost-time injuries, three medical aid injuries and two restricted work injuries. On January 24, 2016, an industrial accident at the Kumtor mill resulted in an employee fatality. The Kyrgyzstan authorities have filed a criminal case.