Police investigate cause of death at Coppabella as mine owner suspends operations

This article is more than 9 months old

This article is more than 9 months old

A worker has died at an underground coalmine in Queensland’s Bowen basin, taking the state’s mine and quarry death toll to seven in the past 18 months.

The worker was killed about 11.50pm on Monday at the Carborough Downs mine site at Coppabella.

The mine’s owner, Fitzroy Australia Resources, said the worker’s family had been notified and all operations had been suspended until further notice.

Police and other authorities have launched investigations into the cause of death.

Chief executive Grant Polwarth says the company is cooperating with investigators and support is being offered to the worker’s family.

“The deceased is a long-term employee of Fitzroy Australia Resources,” Polwarth said.

“Mine workers are being progressively briefed on the incident as they arrive on-site to commence their shifts and the company has made counselling services available to these workers.”

The mining union says the death is devastating in light of a major safety drive this year, including mandatory safety audits meant to prevent any more fatalities.

“It’s just a terrible year. It’s just totally unacceptable where we’re at,” the CFMEU’s Stephen Smyth has told ABC radio.

“Nobody should be in any doubt that something’s got to happen.”

The previous death occurred in July when 27-year-old Jack Gerdes got caught between an excavator and safety stairs at the Baralaba North coal mine in central Queensland.

His death sparked crisis talks between the industry and the state government, with a major new safety drive announced.

More money was promised for mine inspectors, the state’s 50,000 mine and quarry workers completed safety refresher courses, and the government promised to consider extending industrial manslaughter laws to the resources sector.

There have also been reviews into the effectiveness of mining health and safety regulations, and why mine workers have died and how safety can be improved generally.

In August, the Labor government voted down an opposition push for a three-month parliamentary inquiry into mine safety.

Mines minister Anthony Lynham told parliament an inquiry would divert attention, time and resources from immediate action to improve safety.

Lynham will be briefed on the latest death on Tuesday morning.

“My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the miner. The mines inspectorate will investigate fully, an inspector is already on site,” he said.

Mine owner Fitzroy Australia Resources says the worker’s family has been notified and all operations have been suspended until further notice.

Chief executive Grant Polwarth says it’s cooperating with investigators and support is being offered to the worker’s family.

“The deceased is a long-term employee of Fitzroy Australia Resources,” Mr Polwarth said.

“Mine workers are being progressively briefed on the incident as they arrive on-site to commence their shifts and the company has made counselling services available to these workers.”

The mining union says the death is devastating in light of a major safety drive this year, including mandatory safety audits meant to prevent any more fatalities.

“It’s just a terrible year. It’s just totally unacceptable where we’re at,” the CFMEU’s Stephen Smyth has told ABC radio.

“Nobody should be in any doubt that something’s got to happen.”

The previous death occurred in July when 27-year-old Jack Gerdes got caught between an excavator and safety stairs at the Baralaba North coal mine in central Queensland.

His death sparked crisis talks between the industry and the state government, with a major new safety drive announced.

More money was promised for mine inspectors, the state’s 50,000 mine and quarry workers completed safety refresher courses, and the government promised to consider extending industrial manslaughter laws to the resources sector.

There have also been reviews into the effectiveness of mining health and safety regulations, and why mine workers have died and how safety can be improved generally.

In August, the Labor government voted down an opposition push for a three-month parliamentary inquiry into mine safety.

Mines Minister Anthony Lynham told parliament an inquiry would divert attention, time and resources from immediate action to improve safety.

Dr Lynham will be briefed on the latest death on Tuesday morning.

“My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the miner. The mines inspectorate will investigate fully, an inspector is already on site,” he said.