Conuma Coal has won the Edward Prior Award for a second year in a row.
Last year, the award went to Conuma’s Brule operations. This year, on March 9, the award was handed out to the Wolverine Mine at the 57th Annual Mine Safety Awards in Victoria.
“We’re hugely proud of this one as recognition of our employees’ uncompromising commitment to safety,” says Conuma President Mark Bartkoski. “Congratulations to Mine Manager, Byron Eagles, employee safety committee co-chairs Ronaele Heaton and Heath Cunningham and the entire Wolverine Mine team!”
The Edward Prior award is presented to mining operations that have logged between 200,000 and 1,000,000 worker hours and had the lowest injury-frequency rate in the province.
The Mine Safety Awards were established in 1961 by the province to recognize excellent safety records of mining operations in BC. Each year, these awards honour mining operations for their safety accomplishments in the previous calendar year.
The news of the awards comes shortly after Conuma announced a major investment in safety technology.
The company has signed a three year contract with Hexagon Mining to install Hexagon’s MineProtect Collision Avoidance and Fatigue Monitor Systems on the 180 pieces of mine equipment at Conuma’s three mines.
According to Sal Bafaro, Conuma’s Director of Loss Prevention, the HxGN MineProtect Collision Avoidance System (CAS) “will give Conuma Coal vehicle operators 360-degree proximity detection—at any speed and in all conditions—via unobtrusive cabin display units. It is fully integrated with the HxGN MineProtect Fatigue Pro, which employs proven computer vision technology to monitor operator fatigue levels while driving.”
The system also integrates with HxGN MineProtect Tracking Radar, which will help characterize a potential threat’s position and motion, providing drivers and operators the information needed to prevent incidents. “Conuma will use HxGN MineEnterprise Platform, a web-based reporting and analytics platform, to monitor and control critical risk events by connecting a multitude of data sources via live dashboards, visualizing all aspects of CAS,” says Bafaro.
Conuma President Mark Bartkoski says “We are extremely excited to be partnering with Hexagon to implement an integrated safety solution that provides protection for our employees. We are truly dedicated to providing our people with the tools to run a safe, productive and efficient operation that provides security for all of our partners.”
“We’re hugely impressed by Conuma’s commitment to safety,” echoed Hexagon Mining President, Josh Weiss. “This is a great example of how subscription licensing and an integrated portfolio package adds flexibility while allowing mines to maximize safety. We share Conuma’s core belief that protecting people and equipment is the smartest investment a mine can make.”
