KAMOA Copper, a subsidiary of Ivanhoe Mines, said it would defend itself against a claim by a former employee that he was provided with the wrong equipment prior to an accident in which he seriously injured his back.
ENCA reported that Andrew Haskins, a boilermaker and rigger of 40 years standing, was not properly checked by the mine doctor following the accident. The accident occurred at Kamoa’s copper project in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“If a mine manager knows the correct equipment is not available, why does he give that instruction?,” said Haskins. Attorney Chris Marais, representing Haskins in his dispute, claimed the negligence is clear cut. “Their incident report states that the wrong equipment was used at the time of the incident when Mr Haskins overturned a telehandler.”
Responding to questions from eNCA, Kamoa Copper SA said: “We have to date not been provided with sufficient, credible evidence that any injury occurred as a result of the incident. The allegation that he was injured is also at odds with his own conduct in the period immediately following the incident”,
“The company’s requests for detailed medical reports to substantiate Mr Haskins’ claims have been refused by him and his adviser.”
