2019 was a horrific year of fatal mining accidents for the Queensland mining industry. There has been a range of fatal accidents as well as a plethora of high potential incidents that have left mine worker seriously injured. Here’s a summary and links to information on Queensland’s fatal mining accidents that occurred during 2019/20.
In response to the range of fatal mining accidents in 2019, the Queensland Government has implemented a range of changes to mine safety legislation. The most notable introduction of industrial manslaughter legislation for mines and quarrying sectors (which have previously been exempt) from the provisions.
The Queensland Government was also heavily criticized for its responses to mine safety by the Queensland Opposition, mineworkers, unions and industry experts (including a former CFMEU Official)
| Date of Incident | Company Name | Mine Name | Name of Miner | Occupation | What we know so far | Outcomes from the Queensland Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20th February 2019 | Anglo American | Moranbah North | Bradley Hardwick | Equipment Operator | A grader operator received fatal injuries when a grader exiting an underground coal mine rolled down the drift and collided with a man transporter. | Currently, the Queensland Mines Inspectorate has not released a report into the incident. It has highlighted the incident in an alert involving hydraulic braking systems |
| 26th June 2019 | Middlemount Coal Pty Ltd | Middlemount Coal | David John Routledge | Equipment Operator | An equipment operator was fatally injured while he was operating an excavator at an open cut coal mine when an adjacent pit wall 40 metres high suddenly failed. This resulted in fallen material engulfing the excavator and partially crushing the excavator’s cabin | An alert was issued by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines on the 9th July 2019. There has been no advice on the incident since that time. |
| 7th July 2019 | Golding Contractors | Baralaba | Jack Gerdes | Equipment Operator | An equipment operator was found entangled in an excavator access ladder at Baralaba coal mine. The coal mine worker was recovered by emergency responders and was unable to be resuscitated. | An alert was issued by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines |
| 25th November 2019 | Fitzroy Australia Resources | Carborough Downs Mine | Bard Duxbury | Electrician | A mine electrician was fatally injured when coal fell from a longwall face. The coal mine worker was recovered by emergency responders and was unable to be resuscitated. | No information has been released at this stage. |
| 12th January 2020 | Coronado Coal | Curragh Mine | TBC | TBC | Refer AMSJ Post | No information released at this stage |
You might also like to read Queensland Mine Fatalities -1882-2012
Read more Mining Safety News
Add Comment