Sudbury-area seismic activity shakes some parts of the community

Officials in Vale confirmed that it was mining activity that caused the ground to shake in the city over the weekend.

Greater Sudbury residents in Garson, Falconbridge, and surrounding areas reported feeling their homes shake Saturday morning following a seismic event near Vale’s Garson Mine site.

Earthquakes Canada recorded two seismic events in the region – one at 10:55 a.m. with a magnitude of 2.6 and another at 11:32 a.m. with a magnitude of 2.1.

Vale Base Metals, however, reported a magnitude of 3.05 for the initial event on Saturday evening.

A social media frenzy

Several citizens of the surrounding communities took to social media to describe the shaking.

“Bit of shaking going on just now. Did you feel that?” wrote radio host James Warner-Smith on Sudbury’s Pure Country’s Facebook page around 11 a.m.

Others commented on the post, sharing similar experiences.

“Felt like my house was exploding in Garson,” said Andréa Ahsh.

Tommy Putman wrote, “In Garson, felt three of them so far. I’m in the basement to hear them better. Does not (sound) like the mines, those are usually 5 p.m. and 5 a.m.”

“Good good vibration of the house and hutch in Garson! If that was the Garson Mine I pray no one was hurt,” said Kathleen Michaud Lalonde.

Concerns were also raised after Brit Lyn commented, “My fiancée is in refuge now … they are stuck underground for the time being. Seismic action at Garson Mine.”

However, Amy Chiasson later added, “Everyone is ok! They are starting to bring the guys up from underground now.”

With Lyn confirming a few hours later at about 2:40 p.m. that her fiancée had been on the surface for about 20 minutes.

Vale confirms firest seismic event

In a brief call to Vale’s community concerns hotline, the company revealed that the seismic event in Garson was “mining-related,” though the exact magnitude for June 14 was not immediately confirmed. The spokesperson noted that past events in the area have ranged between 2.6 and 3.1 in magnitude.

CTV News also confirmed that the affected section of the mine was restricted and inspected once deemed safe, with no reports of injuries or equipment damage.

While seismic activity is not uncommon in the mining region, some residents expressed unease.

Stacey Lang commented, “It’s terrifying how desensitized Sudburians are – we could all be getting bombed and wouldn’t know it till we saw enough debris coming down,” on the Pure Country page.

In a statement emailed to CTVNorthernOntario.ca Saturday evening, Vale confirmed the seismic event occurred at 10:55 a.m. and assured that all employees were safe and accounted for. “All established protocols were followed,” the company stated.

Vale encouraged anyone with concerns to contact their community hotline at 705-222-8253.

For more information on seismic activity, visit the Earthquakes Canada website.

Both Sudbury Pure Country 91.7 and CTV News are divisions of Bell Media