Final submissions in the case against First Nickel and Taurus Drilling are underway in Sudbury.

The mining companies are facing a total of 12 charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Two contract workers with Taurus — Marc Methe and Norm Bisaillon&nbsp;—&nbsp;were killed in 2014, after a fall of ground at Lockerby Mine. First Nickel owned the mine at the time.

Verdict expected this week in First Nickel and Taurus Drilling case

A judge is expected to deliver a verdict this week in the trial against First Nickel and Taurus Drilling.

Officials with First Nickel in Sudbury said Marc Methe, 34, and Norm Bissaillon, 49, were killed on the job early on May 6, 2014.

Lockerby Mine

Marc Methe and Norm Bisaillon were killed on the job while working at Lockerby Mine in 2014. First Nickel and Taurus Drilling face a total of 12 charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Weak structure to blame for 2014 mining deaths, says Taurus Drilling owner

Cross examination wrapped up Thursday in the trial against First Nickel and Taurus Drilling. The defense only called one witness — the past owner, president and general manager of Taurus Drilling.

First Nickel has reported an incident happened at its Lockerby Mine, southwest of Sudbury. The company said mine rescue efforts are underway to locate and assess the condition of two contractors.

A former owner of Taurus Drilling blames weak structural supports for the deaths of Norm Bisaillon and Marc Methe.

Justin Bisaillon testifies about his work refusal in First Nickel, Taurus Drilling trial

On Friday, the Crown wrapped up its case against First Nickel and Taurus Drilling by calling Justin Bisaillon to the stand. He finished training as a longhole driller at Lockerby a week before the tragedy happened.

Justin Bisaillon testified that he refused to work in wet, possibly unsafe conditions days at First Nickel's Lockerby site days before a fall of ground killed his father.

Justin Bisaillon

Justin Bisaillon testified that he refused to work in wet, possibly unsafe conditions at First Nickel's Lockerby site days before a fall of ground killed his father.

The defence lawyer representing Taurus Drilling focused on responsibility in his closing statements on Tuesday.

John Illingworth&nbsp;said the company did everything it reasonably could to ensure the safety of the mine.

He argued&nbsp;that, as the owner of the mine, First Nickel carried most of the responsibility for the site.

The court also heard that Taurus did its best to identify and rectify any problems,&nbsp;and properly trained its workers to communicate ground conditions.

But Dave McCaskill, the lawyer for the Ministry of Labour, said that Taurus is still part of a "hierarchy of liability."

McCaskill said although First Nickel turned a blind eye to major problems in the mine, Taurus still made errors that warrant convictions.

"This was a foreseeable and preventable event," he said

First Nickel was not present for the proceedings on Tuesday. The company went into receivership in 2015 and is not represented in court.

McCaskill will continue his final submissions on Wednesday.

The judge presiding over the case says he will do his best to deliver a verdict this week.

A verdict is expected this week in the First Nickel and Taurus Drilling case in Sudbury.

First Nickel and Taurus Drilling case continues in Sudbury

More Stories Like This