Mt Lyell mine to reopen with new method

COPPER Mines of Tasmania plans to reopen its Mt Lyell mine where three workers died in two accidents in late 2013 and early 2014, but it will use a different mining technique, an inquest in Hobart has heard.

The company’s Clint Mayes yesterday gave evidence at the inquest into the deaths of miners Craig Gleeson and Alistair Lucas, who fell from a platform in the mine shaft on December 9, 2013, and Michael Welsh, a bogger driver who was killed in a mudrush in the mine on January 17, 2014.

Mr Mayes said that when the Queenstown mine reopened it would use a different mining technique, which would mean the maintenance work Mr Gleeson and Mr Lucas were doing at the time of their accident would no longer be required, and that would have a much lower risk of mudrush. Mr Mayes also said work could be done by remotely controlled machinery, with no workers needed at the level where the mining was taking place.

Copper Mines of Tasmania production foreman Judson Burke told the inquest he found Mr Welsh’s body.

Mr Burke said he heard over the radio on January 17, 2014 there had been a mudrush at a draw point — an area in the mine where the ore is loaded. He said he and Mr Mayes immediately prepared to go underground.

He said the two men who had been with Mr Welsh were panicked because they could not find their workmate. Mr Burke said he climbed on to the back of the machine Mr Welsh had been driving and saw his body in the mud.

The inquest heard Mr Welsh was inspecting the draw point because concerns about it had been raised the night be- fore. The mine safety rating for that draw point had been elevated to medium — the third of four possible ratings and which means the draw point is inspected and access is restricted.

Mr Mayes said the inspection Mr Welsh was doing was consistent with the draw point’s rating being raised to medium.

The inquest continues.