Mohamed Cheikhou Ba, a member of our Processing team at Tasiast, was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident on February 17th.
The 33 year-old Treatment Operator was killed while driving with four other people from Tasiast to Nouakchott. One other occupant (an SCTP contractor), suffered serious injuries.
Tasiast emergency personnel were among the first to respond to the accident scene, and transported all of the injured to site. The critically injured victim was immediately airlifted from Tasiast to a Nouakchott hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery.
Mohamed leaves behind a wife and three-year-old son. Kinross has extended the Company’s deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this very difficult time.
“Mohamed was a dedicated employee who will be dearly missed by his friends and colleagues here at Tasiast,” said Dan Snodgress (Vice-President & General Manager, Tasiast). “While we have made excellent strides in advancing our safety commitments, this accident is a tragic reminder that safety should be top of mind for all of us, both at work – and when we are offsite.”
Following the accident, Ismail Mohamed Boubacar, the General Manager of SCTP, sent a letter expressing his company’s deep gratitude for the support provided by Tasiast emergency crews at the accident scene, and their heartfelt condolences regarding the death of Mohamed Ba. An excerpt from Ismail’s letter is below:
I take this opportunity to personally thank you and all of the staff of Kinross Tasiast for the highly humane and professional behavior starting with assistance and evacuation of all employees injured in the accident, and the treatment that has been reserved for us especially. The evacuation by air of our employee Mr. Khalifa Beilel, has profoundly moved us. We are committed to respecting as we have always done all the standards put in place by our partner Kinross, for safety, hygiene and health.
Yours faithfully,
Ismail Mohamed Boubacar
General Manager, SCTP
