6名大学生殒命，涉事企业却曾是安全“典范”

Core Viewpoint - The tragic incident involving the deaths of six university students during a field trip highlights significant issues in safety management and governance within the mining industry, particularly at China Gold Group's Inner Mongolia Mining Company, which had previously been touted as a safety model [2][4][14]. Summary by Sections Incident Overview - On July 23, 2025, six students from Northeast University drowned in a flotation tank filled with hazardous slurry due to the failure of a steel grating [1][3]. - The slurry, a mixture of crushed ore, water, and flotation agents, is denser than water, making it difficult for individuals to escape once submerged [1]. Causes of the Incident - The immediate cause was identified as a failure in the steel grating, which had old cracks that led to its sudden collapse under load [3]. - Prior to the incident, the company had conducted a partial replacement of the grating but failed to perform comprehensive non-destructive testing on all welds [3][14]. - There were also issues with safety signage and a lack of clear monitoring and emergency procedures in the safety agreement between the university and the company [3][14]. Company Safety Record - China Gold Group's Inner Mongolia Mining Company had been highlighted in its parent company's ESG report as a safety exemplar, claiming to have robust risk management practices [4]. - However, the company had previously been cited for safety violations, with 27 hazards identified during inspections in 2021 [6][14]. - Just 14 days before the incident, the company held a safety meeting emphasizing the need for hazard identification and prevention [11][14]. Systemic Issues - The article suggests that the company's safety inspection practices are superficial, focusing on appearances rather than substantive safety improvements [14][16]. - Similar incidents in other sectors indicate a broader issue of "formalism" in safety checks, where compliance is prioritized over genuine risk management [18][20]. - The mining industry faces inherent risks due to the nature of its operations, necessitating a strong focus on safety as a foundational aspect of corporate social responsibility [20]. Financial Performance - Following a change in management and ownership, the Inner Mongolia Mining Company has seen significant profit growth, with net profits increasing over 50% annually from 2021 to 2023, reaching 2.286 billion yuan in 2023 [20]. Accountability and Consequences - In the aftermath of the incident, the company has halted operations for rectification, and several individuals, including the safety vice president and on-site supervisors, have faced criminal charges [21].