Published: June 20, 2017 |

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Pogo Mine company officials have confirmed a fatal attack by a black bear on a contract employee this morning.

A second contract employee was injured in the same incident and is being transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital with “non-life-threatening” injuries, said Pogo Mine spokeswoman Lorna Shaw. It is the second fatal black bear attack in the state in the past two days.

“Right now we have more questions than answers. Everyone on site is concerned for those involved,” said Chris Kennedy, general manager at Pogo Mine, in a news release. “Our condolences have been shared with our contractor and our hearts go out to the individuals, their colleagues, and their families.”

These contract employees were taking geological samples and exploring a site several miles from camp when the bear attacked. A mayday was called and a helicopter arrived with a paramedic and physicians assistant on board, according to the news release. All 24 people working in the field were recalled.

Shaw said Alaska Wildlife Troopers directed Pogo Mine to have the bear “dispatched.” Shaw said the bear has been shot and killed.  Alaska Wildlife Troopers are on scene now.

The incident has been reported to the Mine Safety & Health Administration and to the Alaska State Troopers. The mine is cooperating with the appropriate agencies to investigate the incident, Shaw said.

Pogo is an underground gold mine 38 miles northeast of Delta Junction in the Goodpaster River valley. It is owned and operated by Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo LLC. The mine operates year-round, with about 350 full-time and 150 contract employees. Employees live on-site for multi-day shifts in a camp environment.

It is the second fatal black bear attack in two days in Alaska. On Sunday, a 16-year-old runner participating in a race on a mountain ridge southeast of Anchorage was fatally mauled.

Source: (June 20, 2017) Daily News-Miner

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