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BC Coroners Service confirms identity of deceased worker from Teck's Coal Mountain Operations

A serious incident occurred that resulted in the death of a Coal Mountain employee
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A coal hauling truck at one of Teck's five coal mines in the Elk Valley.

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died following an industrial accident at the Teck Coal Mountain mine near Sparwood on March 16.

He was Miles Bradley Lorenz, aged 59, of Coleman, Alberta, a community in southwest Alberta near the B.C. border.

Lorenz was a water truck driver and was filling his truck with water when he was impacted by frozen rock which fell from a separate vehicle. He was transported to hospital in Blairmore, Alberta, but he could not be resuscitated.

The Coroners Service, the provincial Inspector of Mines and the RCMP continue to investigate this death.

The family of Lorenz has been notified of his death.

The B.C.  Ministry of Energy and Mines are investigating the fatality that occurred around 2 am on Sunday.

According to Nic Milligan of Teck, the mine inspector will be onsite today, as they were yesterday. “I can’t speculate on the timeframe of the investigation or provide any additional details. Our focus right now is on ensuring employees at site are supported and working with the Ministry to ensure a full investigation.” Teck extended their sincere condolences to the employee’s family, friends and colleagues.

Teck Resources operates five open pit coal mines in the Elk Valley. Coal Mountain Operations is located 30 kilometres southeast of Sparwood in southeastern British Columbia.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines commented on what they called a tragic accident. “No other employees were injured and authorities, including officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, have initiated an investigation.”

I wish to offer my sincere condolences to the employee's family, the workers at Coal Mountain Operations and the community,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and MLA, Kootenay East.

The United Steel Workers Union is aware of the incident but will not comment while the incident is under investigation.