Mining company fined $360K for 2023 death in central Alberta

The courthouse in Leduc, Alta. in winter. (CTV News Edmonton)

A mining company has been fined $360,000 after pleading guilty following the death of a worker.

Prairie Mines and Royalty ULC pleaded guilty on July 8 to failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.

The worker was fatally injured on Nov. 25, 2023, near Warburg, Alta., while clearing water and ice from piping. An ice plug became dislodged and struck them.

The company originally faced 11 other charges, all of which were withdrawn.

Both it and the Crown have 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalty.

The fine is what Alberta calls a creative sentence. Under the OHS legislation, fines can be paid to an organization or project to improve or promote workplace health and safety.

In this case, the fine will be paid to the Alberta Mine Safety Association to develop best practices and training for water removal operations.

Warburg is located about 90 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.