Operators of Omagh based gold mine fined following health and safety failures

The Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) has successfully led a prosecution against Flintridge Resources Limited, the operator of Cavanacaw Mine in Omagh. Appearing before Dungannon Crown Court the company earlier pleaded guilty to health and safety failings and were today fined £120,000.

In July 2018, mine employees were exposed to risk as a result of a fall of rocks from the roof of an underground roadway within the mine. The unstable portion then migrated to the surface causing an inrush of water to enter and flood a portion of the mine, further exposing employees to the risk of drowning.

HSENI Principal Inspector Brian Pryce said: “Mine operators must ensure that suitable ground control measures and precautions are in place to prevent falls of ground and inrushes. These measures and precautions must be continually monitored and reviewed.

The failure of the mine operator to ensure that suitable measures were put in place resulted in employees being exposed to unnecessary risk which could have resulted in fatalities”.

In recent years falls of ground and inrushes have caused the greatest loss of life in UK mines.

To find out more about safety in mines, visit: www.hse.gov.uk/mining

Notes to editors: 

1. Breaches and fines for Flintridge Resources Limited are as follows:
   (a) Article 4(1) of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978, fine £120,000
2. For media enquiries please contact: HSENI Press Office on 028 9024 3249 or email media@hseni.gov.uk. For out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110

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