Venue dispute in mine hearing

PARTS of a workplace safety hearing against Copper Mines of Tasmania will be heard in Hobart after a ruling by magistrate Chris Webster yesterday.

The first day of the hearing in Burnie into the death of a Mt Lyell worker was devoted to legal argument of three main issues.

Mr Webster ruled week four and part of week five of the hearing would be heard in Hobart and relate to key Crown witness John Webber.

CMT is contesting a charge of failing to comply with Health and Safety duty category 2 in relation to the death of miner Michael George Welsh, 53, in a mud rush on January 17, 2014.

It is the second round of workplace charges against CMT after it was fined $225,0000 in December last

Mr Webster found he was satisfied CMT could operate the mine, which has been under care and maintenance for three years, whether Mr Walker was in Hobart or Burnie. There are between 25 and 35 people working at the mine, which CMT is examining whether it can reopen at current copper prices.

The court heard Mr Webber had already been paid more than $200,000 for his role as an investigator and adviser to Workplace Standards Tasmania.

The mine is being pumped out after more than half filling with water.

Mr Walker said the mine would not reopen before the end of September.

Magistrate Webster tried to encourage parties to begin at 9am today but was given reasons by counsel why it had to wait until 10am.