The deaths of two Sudbury miners is tragic but does not suggest there are "systemic safety issues" at the nickel mine, a company spokesman said on Thursday.
The two men were killed while moving ore about 900 metres below the surface at Sudbury's Stobie Mine late Wednesday night.
According to Vale, the mine operator, the men were caught in a "run of muck," a sudden collapse of excess rock removed during the mining process.
Mine rescue crews were dispatched, but both people were pronounced dead at the scene.
On Thursday, Sudbury police identified the victims as Jason Chenier, 35, and Jordan Fram, 26. Autopsies were scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
Corey McPhee, Vale's vice-president of corporate affairs, says there was no reason to think the Stobie Mine has any "systemic safety issues," but an investigation is being held to determine what led to the accident.
"A run of muck is an inherent risk in underground mining. It is something that we are aware of and try and control through practices and policies," McPhee told CTV News Channel on Thursday. "It is something that we actively guard against, but it does occur. In this case it occurred with tragic consequences."
Vale is the second largest mining company in the world and employs about 4,000 people across six mines in Sudbury alone. The Stobie Mine had a fatal accident in 2006, when a man was crushed to death.
"It is a mining town and when something like this happens it goes beyond the borders of the company. The entire community shares in the sense of loss," McPhee said.
Rick Bertrand, president of United Steel Workers Local 6500, said staff at the mine were still recovering from the loss of their friends and co-workers.
"This is very, very sad news. This is not something that we wanted to hear at any time. Our condolences go out to the two families," Bertrand told CTV Sudbury.
"People are really down right now. We are a close group, we have close membership. People are really hurt today."
Jon Treen, general manager of Vale's Ontario operations, told reporters on Thursday that one of the men had six years of mining experience and the other had been working for Vale for 11 years.
"Both individuals were skilled employees and wonderful people. Words do not express how deep our sorrow is for their loss. They were loved and respected by their co-workers, and so many of them called them friends," Treen said.
The deaths are currently being investigated by Greater Sudbury police, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Vale and United Steelworkers Local 6500. It is not clear what triggered the fatal run of muck.
The Stobie Mine remained closed on Thursday and counselling was being offered to grieving employees.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath expressed her condolences for the tragedy on Thursday.
"Today is a grim reminder of the dangers miners face each and every day on the job. My heart goes out to everyone touched by this terrible tragedy," Horwath said in a statement.
