Missing man found “alive and well” near Nunavut mine project

Michel Pilon, a drill worker, went missing May 14 en route to one of the Meliadine gold project’s drills, shown here. (PHOTO COURTESY OF AGNICO EAGLE)

Michel Pilon, 39, a driller lost on the land for more than two days, was found late May 16.

In a news release sent out at about 1 a.m. May 17, Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. said is was “very happy” to report that its search and rescue teams located Pilon “alive and safe near its Meliadine camp at about 10:30 p.m. local time.”

Pilon had been reported missing from the company’s Meliadine project site near Rankin Inlet May 14.

Pilon, an employee of Boart Longyear, was reported missing in the morning at about 7 a.m. after he failed to reach a drill site that Pilon and three co-workers were travelling to during a change of shift.

Agnico Eagle’s Emergency Response team coordinated search efforts with Boart Longyear, the RCMP and community members.

But their efforts were hampered by a major blizzard during the week which left more than 90 centimetres of snow in the area of Rankin Inlet.

As the storm abated in the afternoon of May 16, searchers were out again looking for Pilon.

Arrangements were underway to transfer him from the Meliadine camp to Rankin Inlet for medical observation.

“This is wonderful news and we are very grateful to have found Mr. Pilon alive and well,” said Sean Boyd, president and chief executive officer of Agnico Eagle. “I want to thank everyone involved with the search and rescue operation for working so hard and tirelessly to deliver a positive outcome for Mr. Pilon and his family.”