Dangerous incident: Spontaneous Combustion at Mine Site

Summary: Spontaneous combustion was developing at a mine site and reported to the regulator. Oxidised coal was put into the dump.

Recommendations to industry: Mines must have a principal hazard management plan for fire and explosion. For all coal mines this should incorporate a system for the identification, management and control of spontaneous combustion, where it has been identified the risk of spontaneous combustion potentially exists. Workers must be provided adequate information training and instruction in relation to this system.