NLIS 4
June 6, 2001
(Labour)

Newfoundland and Labrador mine wins safety award

Labour Minister Anna Thistle is pleased to announce that Richmont Mines' Nugget Pond Division at Baie Verte has been awarded the Year 2000 John T. Ryan Safety Trophy for metal mining in the Quebec and Eastern Canadian Region.

These safety trophies are awarded to mines which, based on previous year figures, experienced the lowest reportable injury frequency per 200,000 hours worked. This rate includes lost-time injuries as well as modified work injuries. Richmont's Nugget Pond facility won the award for having a total reportable injury frequency of 1.8 per 200,000 hours worked.

"This is a prestigious and much sought after award by mining operations across Canada," stated Minister Thistle. "This company's commitment to health and safety in the workplace is truly commendable, and the management and staff at Richmont Mines should be quite proud of their accomplishments."

Development started at the Richmont underground gold mine near Baie Verte in 1996. The operation currently employs 80 workers.

Media contact: Kathy Dicks-Peyton, Communications, (709) 729-1741.

2001 06 08                             11:50 a.m.