PITTSBURGH — Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. has opened an investigation into a fatal accident at its Bloom Lake iron ore mining operation in eastern Quebec.

A worker at the Bloom Lake operation fell from an elevated walkway Monday evening, according to a company spokeswoman. The employee was taken to the Health and Social Service Center in Fermont, Quebec, where he died from his injuries.

"We have lost a valued member of the Bloom Lake team," said David Blake, Cliffs’ senior vice president for North American iron ore. "We are saddened by this tragic accident and regret that it occurred. We would like to express our sincere condolences to the employee’s family and loved ones."

The company withheld the name of the worker.

Cliffs is looking into the accident and is working with federal and provincial authorities to determine what happened, the company spokeswoman said.