A surface mining incident was blamed for causing many months of interruptions.
A dozer recently fell down the side of an open pit at Premier Coal’s Collie Coal Mine, 200km southeast of Perth.
“The incident involved a bulldozer backing through a windrow and going down the side of a pit. There were no reported injuries. WorkSafe mines inspectors attended the site and secured the scene,” WorkSafe Western Australian commissioner Darren Kavanagh said according to Fairfax Media.
The proponent, which is owned by China-headquartered Yancoal Australia Group, has already suspended operations to allow for official investigations.
The State Government revealed the August crash, combined with wet weather making it harder to extract coal, ultimately forced Synergy to shut down its 318 megawatt Collie Coal Power Station until at least January 2023. The operator is already low on the commodity and needs time to replenish stockpiles.
“They had a safety incident in one of their pits that required them to close the pit for a certain period of time. I understand that it is a safety incident that led to them falling below what they were expecting mine,” State Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Corrective Services and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston said according to the media outlet.
Related articles
Mining giant accelerates automation after fewer accidents
Mine worker pinned between truck and loader
Employers urged to stop ‘dangerous’ and ‘illegal’ signal
Mining giant investigates driverless vehicle accident.
Add Comment