Worker killed at Curragh coal mine in Queensland's Bowen Basin
ABC News
Nov 21 2021
A 54-year-old mine worker has been killed in an accident at an open-cut coal mine in central Queensland, police have confirmed.
Key points:
All work at the Curragh mine has been suspended while the worker's death is investigated
Another worker was killed at the mine in January last year
Mine operator Coronado has offered "deepest sympathies" to family of the worker killed this morning
The Forensic Crash Unit went to the Curragh Coal Mine, north of Blackwater in the Bowen Basin, after the fatality was reported about 2:15am on Sunday.
A spokesperson for Coronado Global Resources, which operates the mine, said all work had been suspended while authorities conducted investigations.
"A full investigation is being conducted into the accident and Coronado is working with the Queensland police, the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and other authorities," the spokesperson said.
It is the second death at the mine in less than two years.
Goondiwindi man Donald Rabbit was killed on January 12, 2020 when he was trapped under heavy machinery.
That case is still the subject of legal proceedings.
Worker killed 'on duty'
A Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) spokesperson said the worker killed on Sunday was fatally injured while on duty.
"The incident occurred at approximately 12:43am," the spokesperson said.
"RSHQ inspectors are at site commencing inquiries into the nature and cause of the incident.
"The worker's family has been notified."
Coronado's spokesperson said the company offered "their deepest sympathies to the family, friends and workmates of the employee".
"The company is focused on supporting its workers at Curragh and counselling services are being made available," the spokesperson said.
Union wants answers, demands action
CFMEU Queensland mining and energy division president Stephen Smyth said few details were known about what had happened.
But, he said, the tragedy had sent a "massive ripple" across the entire mining community.
"People understand what it's like to work in a hazardous industry, but they also don't understand why someone loses their live," Mr Smyth said.
Union representatives had visited the site on Sunday, he added.
"It just has a massive effect on the union safety reps as well, [who], unfortunately, attend all of these fatalities," he said.
"Speaking to one of the guys this morning, you know, it's pretty tough on them."
Mr Smyth said he hoped the industry would implement any safety recommendations that come from the investigation and other recent mining incidents.
"We've had two fatalities [at the Curragh mine]," he said.
"The appropriate action needs to be taken in and around all these events … not just giving lip service, because you know that won't fix it."
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