Coronado Global Resources Ltd. has halted production at its Curragh mine complex in Queensland after a worker was fatally injured.
The man was inside the Mammoth underground mine, near Blackwater, when the roof collapsed on January 3.
Queensland’s acting mines minister, Tony Perrett, said emergency responders found the dead worker on Saturday night.
“One worker was safely recovered yesterday, while specialist teams worked through the night to stabilise the site and access the second individual. Tragically, that worker could not be saved.”
The operations at Mammoth mine remain suspended, while operations at the company’s open cut mines, Curragh North and Curragh South, were idled for 24 hours and have now recommenced normal operations in a staged approach.
Coronado said the company was deeply saddened by the death and extended its sympathies to the family and colleagues of the worker.
The company is providing all support to the contracted coal mine operator, Mammoth Underground Mine Management, which is working with relevant authorities to understand the cause of the incident.
In a separate incident, a gold prospector working at a private mine site outside Nebo died after being hit by falling rocks.
Perrett said both incidents were “tragic reminders of the risks faced by those who work in our resources sector”.
“Every worker deserves to return home safely, and I expect full and thorough investigations into both incidents to ensure answers are provided and lessons are learned.”