HD Mining International's Murray River coal mining operation has again come under fire, with attention on B.C.'s Chief Inspector of Mines.
The United Steelworkers has applied for a judicial review of the Chinese-owned firm's proposed underground mining project outside of Tumbler Ridge, questioning the exploration permit it was granted.
"Our union contends that serious health and safety issues were ignored when the permit was granted to HD Mining in March 2012," said the Steelworkers' Western Canada director, Stephen Hunt. "We have grave concerns about the decision to grant this permit, the process that led to this decision and the potential consequences."
The union has implied that the permit was granted without the consideration of safety concerns associated with hiring non-English speaking workers.
The International Union of Operating Engineers and the Construction and Specialized Workers Union challenged in court HD Mining's plan to bring in 200 foreign workers for the project in April 2012.
However, the court dismissed the complaint in May 2013, allowing the project to go ahead.
Now, the Steelworkers claim to have documents suggesting the Chief Inspector of Mines was aware of a potential risk of hiring non-English speaking workers but proceeded with the permit process regardless.
In an Oct. 30 letter to the Peace River Regional District, senior advisor to HD Mining and former South Peace MLA Blair Lekstrom said there were at the time 28 foreign workers at the Murray River mine who were extracting coal for a bulk sample.
"This bulk sample work is the initial stage of a mine which will determine if there will be a full mine developed at this location," wrote Lekstrom. "These workers are fully trained in this field and will be able to do the work in a safe and efficient manner. which we hope will lead to the development of a full operating mine at this site."
The letter continued that HD Mining International chairman Penggui Yan was committed to hiring and training local workers, including First Nations.
HD Mining would not comment for this story. The Ministry of Energy and Mines did not respond by press time.
