Canadian Asbestos Mine files for Bankruptcy

One of Canada’s last two operating asbestos mines LAB Chrysotile Inc., in Quebec has declared bankruptcy citing declining revenue and high fixed costs.

LAB operates the Lac d’Amiante mine and exports close to 125,000 tons of chrysotile asbestos annually. The mine has been in production for fifty years.

Although the owners of the mine intend to restructure their debt and continue operations, many anti-asbestos activists will be pleased to hear that production at the mine has been halted while they seek financing.

The Jeffery Mine, another Canadian asbestos mine has had trouble finding enough financing to re-open. Many activists and mesothelioma attorneys have heavily criticized Canadian officials for allowing these mines to continue exporting the material, which has numerous consequences to human health.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can cause many disease, the most fatal being mesothelioma. Industrial and mine workers who have developed mesothelioma face extensive medical costs and often hire mesothelioma attorneys to seek compensation from the parties responsible for their exposure.

Canada’s asbestos mines generally export the material to developing nations since many countries like the United States, Canada and Great Britain have banned or seriously restricted its use. It has taken years of civil litigation headed by mesothelioma lawyers and urging of health professionals to have asbestos use restricted.  

This may not be an end to asbestos mining in Canada,  but any halt in production can help prevent future health issues for the people in developing nations who use the material.