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1 injured in explosion at Yukon's Minto Mine

The worker was medevaced from the site for his injury, said Andrew Robulack, a spokesman for the works' compensation board. He said he could not provide details on what happened or what condition the worker is in.

Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board investigating incident

An ore truck is seen from above, driving on a remote road with mountains in the background.
One person was injured in an explosion at Capstone Mining's Minto Mine in Yukon, the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board said. (Capstone Mining)

Health and safety officials in Yukon are investigating after a worker at the territory's Minto Mine was injured following an explosion overnight.

The worker was medevaced from the site for his injury, said Andrew Robulack, a spokesman for the Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board.

He said he could not provide details on what happened or what condition the worker is in.

The explosion happened Friday. 

Safety board inspectors were at the mine site, but have returned to Whitehorse, Robulack said.

He says a stop-work order has been issued for the immediate vicinity where the incident happened, though the rest of the mine remains operational.

That order will be in place until the employer demonstrates to safety board officers that the workplace is safe. 

Robulack said details about the incident will be provided when the investigation is complete.

Capstone Mining Corporation owns the copper mine, which employs 306 people at the Minto site.

The company recently announced it would be keeping the mine active until at least 2020.

Corrections

  • A previous version of this story stated the explosion happened overnight Friday and investigators were on scene Saturday. In fact, the explosion happened Friday and the health and safety officials were there the same day.
    May 21, 2017 10:19 AM CT