TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSX:EXN; OTC:EXLLF) ("Excellon" or
the "Company") announces with great regret and sorrow that two employees were fatally
injured by an electrical shock yesterday evening during routine
operation of an underground pump in the Platosa Mine in Durango,
Mexico. Mine rescue workers were dispatched immediately and the injured
employees were removed from the mine. Unfortunately, despite the
efforts of the responders, they were later pronounced dead at the
hospital. The families of the workers were notified and the Company is
ensuring that they receive all possible support.
"This is a devastating loss and our thoughts and prayers are with the
families, friends and co-workers of these employees," stated Brendan
Cahill, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Both employees were
well-trained and experienced, and words cannot express how deep our
sorrow is at their loss. Our efforts are focused on supporting the
families and our employees at La Platosa, and on investigating the
incident to understand exactly what occurred last night."
Three other employees were injured on scene and are in stable condition
at the local hospital. They will remain at the hospital for the next
three days for observation and support during their recovery.
All underground operations, except essential services, have been paused
by the Company for a safety review. The incident scene has been
secured and is under investigation by inspectors from the Secretaría
del Trabajo y Previsión Social Protección Civil. Excellon management,
the joint health and safety team and the Sindicato Nacional Minero Metalúrgico Napoleón Gómez Sada (the "Platosa Union") are cooperating fully with this immediate
investigation.
"The health and safety of our people is the foundation of our business.
While we cannot entirely eliminate risk, we are focused on doing
everything possible to prevent similar tragic incidents from ever
happening again," stated Mr. Cahill.
A team of senior and experienced experts from Excellon and the Platosa
Union has been assembled to investigate the chronology of events,
determine what occurred and develop an action plan to prevent similar
incidents from occurring again. The Company thanks its employees for
their rapid response and continued efforts to support the families and
fully investigate the incident.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this
Press Release, which has been prepared by management. This press
release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 27E of the Exchange Act.
Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the
future results of operations, performance and achievements of the
Company, including potential property acquisitions, the timing,
content, cost and results of proposed work programs, the discovery and
delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, geological
interpretations, proposed production rates, potential mineral recovery
processes and rates, business and financing plans, business trends and
future operating revenues. Although the Company believes that such
statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are
typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate,
intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those,
which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions
investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not
guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results
may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a
result of various factors, including, but not limited to, variations in
the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be
located, significant downward variations in the market price of any
minerals produced [particularly silver], the Company's inability to
obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for
its activities, to produce minerals from its properties successfully or
profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary
capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies. All
of the Company's public disclosure filings may be accessed via
www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials,
including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's
mineral properties, and particularly the November 22, 2011 NI
43-101-compliant technical report prepared by Roscoe Postle Associates
Inc. with respect to the Platosa Property. This press release is not,
and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell
securities in the United States.
SOURCE Excellon Resources Inc.
