Core Viewpoint - The tragic incident resulting in the death of six university students during a field trip highlights severe safety management failures at the involved mining company, which was previously regarded as a safety model [1][3][10]. Group 1: Incident Details - On July 23, 2025, six students from Northeast University fell into a flotation tank containing hazardous slurry due to the collapse of a steel grating [1]. - 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]. - The students were part of a mineral processing engineering program and came from families with high expectations for their futures [1]. Group 2: Safety Management Issues - The direct cause of the accident was identified as an old crack in the weld of the steel grating, which failed under load, leading to the students' fall [2]. - 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 [2]. - The safety agreement between the university and the company lacked clear guidelines on site supervision, personnel limits, and emergency procedures [2]. Group 3: Company Background and Safety Record - China Gold Group Inner Mongolia Mining Co., Ltd. was previously highlighted as a safety model in its parent company's ESG report, emphasizing risk management and safety practices [3][5]. - The company had been cited for safety issues in 2021, with 27 hazards identified during inspections by the local emergency management bureau [5]. - Despite recent safety meetings and commitments to improve safety protocols, the actual implementation of these measures was superficial, indicating a culture of "formalism" in safety checks [10][11]. Group 4: Broader Implications and Industry Context - The incident reflects a broader issue within the mining industry, where safety practices are often inadequately enforced, leading to repeated accidents [16][18]. - The mining sector is characterized by high-risk operations, necessitating robust safety measures to protect workers [15]. - The failure to prioritize safety can undermine corporate social responsibility commitments, as seen in the case of this mining company [15].