Two men have died in separate mining incidents in Central Queensland.
One death was confirmed after a two-day operation to try and free a trapped miner, who was caught in a “roof fall” at the Mammoth Underground Mine near Blackwater, about 800 kilometres north-west of Brisbane and inland from Rockhampton.
Queensland Police said in a statement the body of a 59-year-old Banya man was recovered at 4.30 this morning.
The company that runs the mine had confirmed the man’s death late last night.
“Coronado is deeply saddened by this incident and extends its deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the worker,” Coronado chief executive Douglas Thompson said.
“It is providing all support to the contracted coal mine operator, Mammoth Underground Mine Management Pty Ltd, which is currently working with the relevant authorities at site to understand the cause of the incident.”
Emergency services raced to the mine after the roof collapsed about 3pm (4pm AEDT) on Friday.
Another man was taken to hospital and a third was rescued.
A spokesperson for Mammoth Underground Mines Pty Ltd said the death was “heartbreaking”.
“We have spoken with his family to offer our sympathy and full support as they begin to come to terms with this tragic loss,” they said.
“The safety and wellbeing of everyone at the mine is our most important priority and we will continue to support all Mammoth personnel who are affected by the incident.”
A man was killed in another incident at a small-scale gold mining operation in Mount Britton, about 130 kilometres south-west of Mackay.
Police and emergency services were called to a mining operation on Mount Britton Road at 4pm on Friday after reports a man had sustained serious injuries.
He was treated for life-threatening injuries at the scene, but died shortly after.
The Acting State Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Tony Perrett said both incidents were “devastating” and vowed to fully investigate the circumstances of both deaths.
“These are tragic reminders of the risks faced by those who work in our resources sector,” he said.
“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.
