Ivanhoe Mines employee dies after accident at copper project in Congo

Kamoa-Kakula copper project, 25 km west of Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Image courtesy of Ivanhoe Mines.)

Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) said Thursday that a contractor’s employee passed away due to fat embolism syndrome causing brain damage following a broken bone incurred in a workplace accident on January 21, 2020 at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fat embolism syndrome is a rare, but life-threatening complication of long bone fractures. The accident resulting in the broken bone involved a contractor-operated underground utility vehicle at the Kakula Mine.

“We are all deeply saddened by the unfortunate loss of life and our thoughts are with the family, friends and coworkers of the deceased at this time. Safety for everyone at our projects remains our highest priority and we will redouble our efforts to ensure that these types of accidents never happen again,” Tony Giardini, Ivanhoe’s President, said in a statement.

The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project is a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining Group (39.6%), Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%) and the DRC government (20%).

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