Weak structure to blame for 2014 mining deaths, says Taurus Drilling owner

A former owner of Taurus Drilling Services says he thinks weak structural supports are to blame for the deaths of Marc Methe and Norm Bisaillon.

The two Taurus employees were killed by a fall of ground in 2014 while working at First Nickel Inc'sLockerby mine.

The two companies are facing a total of 12 charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act as a result.

The trial has been underway in Sudbury for the last two weeks.

• Miners didn't make errors before 2014 Lockerby Mine accident in Sudbury, says Ministry engineer
• Justin Bisaillon testifies about his work refusal in First Nickel, Taurus Drilling trial

Roger Breau is a past owner, president and general manager of Taurus. He told the courthe believes water corroded split sets on the level where the twoworkers were killed.

"The absolute final straw was failure of split sets," Breau told the court.

"Given that the gravitational load on those was maybe 10, 15 per centof what it should be able to hold."

• Testimony resumes in First Nickel, Taurus Drilling case
• Cross examination of First Nickel employees shows 'great disagreement of facts'

Court heard there were several misfires in the mine before the fatal incident, due to defective explosives.That led to more blasting than expected to try and extract ore.

Breau agreed that excessive blasting could weaken the mine's structural supports, but testified that he didn't see anything before or after the incident that would indicate this was a factor.

Breau is the only witness for the defense.

Paging once, paging twice...

"First Nickel to Courtroom B please. First Nickel to Courtroom B."

The clerk paged the mining company to the trial twice on Thursday as per Justice David Stone's request.

First Nickel is not represented in court since the company went into receivership in 2015.

Judge Stone told the court he wanted to make sure no one was representing the company at the last minute.

He also mentioned he intends to send a notice to First Nickel's previous lawyers, advising them that final submissions are now closed, and court will be proceeding without them.

Defense lawyer John Illingworthstated in court that "whether there's a tactical advantage or not," he wants to ensure the court is satisfied it took all steps necessary to make sure First Nickel has a chance to defenditself.

Methe and Bisaillon's families were visibly upset once cross examination drew to a close. CBC News has learned relatives are drafting victim impact statements for later in the trial.

Final arguments are set for late October.