Manitou Gold CEO Speaks At Inquiry

Some key testimony to end the first day of the inquiry looking into the death of 74-year-old Edwin Davis.
Manitou Gold President and CEO Todd Keast took the stand and commented on his dealings with Davis.
Keast confirmed that he approached Davis in early January to take on the sub-contracting job and Davis agreed to accept it.
Keast says his company wanted to find someone locally who was experienced and had their own equipment.
Keast notes he heard about Davis through word-of-mouth, noting that’s the best way in the exploration stage to get the job done.
He stresses everyone commented on Davis and how he had the experience and the knowledge and was the right man for the job.
Keast says Davis did winter ice road work for other exploration companies and did the exact same work in the area for a different company in the 80’s.
He also told the 5-member jury that he didn’t conduct a formal interview with Davis and there was no signed contract.
Keast adds he didn’t see the groomer Davis was planning on using and no training was conducted.
Keast was asked by Counsel to the coroner Elizabeth Hellinga about training procedures and policies at Manitou Gold.
Keast noted they didn’t have a living safety document and didn’t inquire about safety procedures.
He added that his company was never informed about available training, stressing that they just are just in the early stages of work.
Keast stressed that Manitou Gold made immediate changes after his tragic death.
He says the company adopted the guidelines drafted by the Treasury Board of Canada and then the best practices guidelines taken from Alberta regulations.
He notes this covers everything from ice thickness and drilling to operating machinery on ice roads.
Keast also stressed that everyone now must abide by those guidelines.
When asked what was lacking, Keast noted they could have checked the ice on a more regular basis.
However, Keast submitted evidence of pictures of thick ice just metres away from the scene of the incident.
He stressed there’s quite a large discrepancy in this case.
He added the government must do a better job advising junior mining companies of the training opportunities available.
The first day of the coronor’s inquest has concluded and will resume tomorrow morning.