Mining activity partly resumes after ‘tragic’ FIFO worker death

A mineral producer is gradually returning to businesses as usual, following a devastating mine fatality.

Gold Fields recently confirmed operations have partially resumed at its St Ives mine, 80km south of Kalgoorlie.

“With the support of local regulators mining operations at most St Ives mines resumed on Friday [14 October 2022]. Operations at the Hamlet mine will also resume at some stage but in consultation with employees,” the South African-headquartered proponent said in a public statement.

The decision came less than one week after a 37 year old fly-in fly-out (FIFO) drilling contractor died from a rock fall. The Mundijong man, formerly of Britain, perished while performing airleg mining work near a vent rise at the underground mine.

“We continue to work with local authorities in relation to its ongoing investigation and are now also focusing on the safe resumption of operations at St Ives,” Gold Fields Australasia executive vice president Stuart Mathews said in a public statement.

“There is no more tragic reminder of the overriding importance of safety at our mines than the death of a colleague. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased,” Gold Fields CEO Chris Griffith added.

WorkSafe investigators are widely reported to be examining whether an earthquake, which struck at 5:31am on October 11, was a factor behind the mine wall collapse.

However, Geoscience Australia found the 2.9 magnitude tremor was “highly unlikely” to cause a rock fall.

“This conclusion is based on our understanding that the rockfall occurred much later that day, the small size of the earthquake and the distance between the rock fall and the epicentre,” a spokesperson said according to Seven West Media.

Meanwhile, the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) expressed ‘deep sadness’ after hearing a MACA utility truck operator died from crashing into a dump truck on October 13 at Capricorn Metals’ Karlawinda mine, 530km southeast of Port Hedland.

“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased. The Australian mining industry is actively focused on fatality prevention actions to ensure the safety, health and psychological wellbeing of its workforce where everyone who goes to work returns home safe and healthy,” MCA CEO Tania Constable said in a public statement.

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