Workers at the NWT’s Ekati diamond mine fear managers are not doing enough to address potential benzene exposure, two people with direct knowledge of the situation said.
Benzene is a compound that occurs naturally, usually in low concentrations. It is also produced synthetically and can be found in some vehicle emissions and industrial processes.
It is a carcinogen, meaning it is associated with an increased risk of cancer, particularly conditions like leukaemia. Risks like cancer are usually related to long-term exposure.
According to an internal document seen by Cabin Radio, Ekati owner Burgundy Diamonds recently identified what it calls a “spike in benzene vapours” in the mine’s process plant.
The process plant is where diamonds are separated from the original ore mined elsewhere at Ekati. The document states ore from the Sable pit is the suspected source of the benzene.
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The document suggests Burgundy discovered benzene levels were “above the occupational limits” on Saturday, September 28, at which point workers in the process plant were told to wear a half mask respirator – one that covers the nose and mouth – with a filter.
An industrial hygienist was expected to arrive at Ekati on Wednesday, the document states. Industrial hygienists are generally employed to identify workplace hazards, develop ways to protect workers and implement longer-term safety programs.
The document adds that although levels of benzene were multiple times the accepted safe limit in recent days, those numbers were “well below the [level at which] short- and long-term health effects” could be expected, in Burgundy’s view.
According to the document, Burgundy’s corrective measures included increasing ventilation at the process plant, flushing and changing the water at the plant, and stepping up monitoring.
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However, two people with direct knowledge of the situation – each asking for anonymity to discuss a sensitive internal issue – said the benzene problem had unnerved some people who work at Ekati.
Ekati workers are unionized. A union representative is understood to have been told that workers felt communication about benzene levels was inadequate – such as what benzene is, why it is a factor at Ekati, and what is and isn’t safe for workers – leaving employees unsure of their safety.
Concern has been expressed about access to protective equipment and ventilation, while a second person with knowledge of the issue said they were not aware of any medical checks or screenings being offered since the problem emerged.
One person said workers had been given the impression that Burgundy knew of the benzene issue for months. They said the workforce had only recently been informed.
The concerns raised could not be independently verified. Cabin Radio could not immediately find any regulatory record of a benzene problem at Ekati being reported.
Burgundy Diamonds, which assumed ownership of Ekati in 2023, did not respond to multiple requests to speak with a representative for this article. Burgundy did not respond to written questions.
In recent weeks, the mine’s owners have made headlines with a strongly worded letter urging the NWT government to do more to help the territory’s diamond mining sector.
Burgundy also pulled out of a September public hearing about a mine expansion project at the last minute, a decision that regulators said meant some $200,000 had been wasted in preparation for the cancelled event.
