A 33-YEAR old mine worker became trapped in machinery and suffered critical injuries at the Curragh Coal mine in Northern Queensland yesterday, putting mining safety back into the spotlight.
This is the eighth death in two years in the Queensland mining sector.
Emergency crew were called in but were unable to save the worker.
Queensland Mines Inspectorate and the CFMEU were in attendance on site and operations will be suspended while the investigation takes place.
Condolences were offered to the man’s family by all parties concerned, including acting Mines Minister Mark Ryan and industry lobby group Queensland Resources Council.
It has been reported that the mineworker was employed by CIMIC Thiess, a contractor at Curragh for 16 years.
The mine was acquired by Coronado Global Resources in 2017 and this is its first fatality, after a death in 2010 while the mine was under Wesfarmers’ ownership.
According to the Acting Mines Minister, Queensland has the toughest mine safety and health regulations in the world.
Laws introduced in 2017 meant that individuals guilty of industrial manslaughter now face up to 20 years imprisonment, and corporate offenders would be liable for fines up to $10m.
Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian McFarlane said safety was the resources sector’s leading priority.
“The industry is working with the Queensland Government and unions to ensure an ongoing safety focus to maximise safety across the sector,” he said.
