Contractor, 26, killed at Suncor mine near Fort McMurray

An investigation is underway after a 26-year-old contractor died early Thursday after being struck by equipment at Suncor's Base Mine near Fort McMurray, Alta.

A Komatsu employee was pronounced dead early Thursday morning at a shovel maintenance pad in the mine, Suncor said in a statement sent to news media Thursday evening. RCMP said the incident occurred around 3 a.m.

"This is a tragic incident," Suncor spokesperson Leithan Slade said in an interview Thursday.

"We do extend our deepest condolences to the family and the friends and the co-workers of this individual, and we'll be launching a full investigation to find out what happened."

Occupational Health and Safety is investigating the man's death, a spokesperson for Alberta Labour and Immigration said.

Thursday's death was the fifth workplace fatality at a Suncor site in Alberta since 2021.

Slade said the company is focusing on the safety and well-being of employees.

In its statement, Suncor also announced it would postpone its oil sands operations presentation scheduled for July 13.

"By deferring the presentation, the senior leaders who were scheduled to participate can focus fully on responding to the incident and caring for our workforce," the statement said.

"We remain committed to improving our safety and operational performance."

The presentation will be rescheduled for the fall, it said, adding that more information will be shared when available.

The name of the dead employee will not be released without the family's consent, the company said.