An Australian court has fined Barrick Gold Corp., the world's largest gold producer, $140,000 in the death of a miner who died while working in one of the company's facilities.

The Perth Magistrates Court fined Barrick on Thursday in the death of Daniel Williams, who fell into an ore chute at the underground mine of Barrick's Kanowna Belle gold mine near Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia.

Barrick pleaded guilty to charges of failing to provide a safe work environment under the Mines Safety Act.

Williams, 26, was not wearing a harness and because his death was caused by an omission, and not a deliberate act, the court did not impose the possible maximum penalty of $400,000.

Sharon Russell, the mother of the miner, said she was satisfied with the court's decision, but stressed her son's life has no price tag. She flew from Christchurch in New Zealand for the Thursday sentencing.

"I don't want any other parent to have to get a phone call like I got, to have to bury their child. That's not the way it's supposed to be," Russell told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Magistrate Geoff Lawrence said the accident was a foreseeable, hazardous situation that happened because of the inadequate safety measures in Barrick's mines.

Since Williams' accident, Barrick had put in place new safety standard for its miners. Barrick was also ordered by Lawrence to pay the court cost of $1,200.

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