OGPI operations to continue despite 2nd mine fatality

MANILA, Philippines — Operations at the Didipio mine of listed OceanaGold Philippines Inc. would not be hampered by the recent fatality recorded at the site, the second this year.

In a news release, OceanaGold Corp. (OGC), the parent firm of OGPI, confirmed that the contractor at the Didipio mine who was earlier reported as in critical condition has died.

The worker sustained serious head injuries while attempting to remove a metal blockage from a jaw crusher in late July, according to the firm.

The worker was in critical condition in a hospital while investigation into the incident was ongoing, OGC said in an earlier news release.

“Despite medical efforts and care, he recently passed away in hospital. There has been no impact to production as a result of this event,” OGC said in a recent statement.

This is now the second recorded fatality at the Didipio mine in Nueva Vizcaya this year. Earlier, OGC reported that a worker fell from heights while working in the paste plant last June.

The Australian-Canadian miner noted that this is the first time that it recorded fatality across all its operations in the world since 2016. It was also the first recorded fatality at Didipio mine since 2012.

Gerard Bond, president and CEO of OceanaGold, said OGPI would be improving its safety protocols at the Didipio mine while noting that the two fatalities were unrelated.

“We are taking immediate action at Didipio to improve the effectiveness of the OurSafe Behaviours safety program, increase hazard identification training – particularly in relation to stored energy – and expand in-field coaching on the identification of critical and high-risk tasks and verification of critical controls. Ensuring the safety of our workforce is paramount,” Bond said.