An inquest has finally been called into the mining death of a Vale Mine worker nearly four years ago. Thirty-six-year-old Paul Rochette died at the Copper Cliff Smelter Complex while trying to remove a large steel pin that was stuck in a crushing machine. Rochette suffered critical injuries when the pin let go. In 2016 Vale and a supervisor pleaded guilty to charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in connection with Rochette’s death. The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Rochette’s death and takes place in Sudbury on January 22nd. It’s expected to last five days and 13 witnesses will testify.
