(September 19, 2007) Late last night, the operator of an excavator covered by a rock fall that occurred yesterday morning in the Graymont Pavilion quarry located in Pavilion Lake near Cache Creek, B.C. was rescued unhurt.  The machine is owned by Lor-Wes Contractors Ltd.

After having been buried for nearly 13 hours, the operator climbed out of the cab on his own.  He was taken to the hospital and later released.

“The Pavilion Plant employees, Lor-Wes Contractors Ltd., the Highland Valley Copper Mine rescue team, the Tribal Police and the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources staff worked closely together in the successful rescue,” said Graymont President and CEO Bill Dodge.  “We appreciate the efforts of all those involved in the rescue.”

An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.

Any media enquiries can be directed to Carl Gilbert at (office) 604 249 1968, (cell) 412 551 0916, (email) cgilbert@graymont.com.