Inquiry launched into mine disaster
AN independent board of inquiry will investigate how an underground gas explosion at a central Queensland coal mine left four men fighting for life.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement yesterday.
The miners were working at Anglo American’s Grosvenor Coal Mine at Moranbah on Wednesday when the incident occurred.
They suffered extensive burns to their upper bodies and airways and were flown to Brisbane’s Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Four remain in a critical condition, while a fifth man also injured in the blast is listed as stable.
Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said last week’s incident was “unacceptable” in the 21st century.
Dr Lynham said a former judge or senior lawyer would head the inquiry, which would include public hearings. An interim report is expected by August.
The underground gas explosion at Moranbah is the first to occur in Queensland in more than 25 years.
The previous one at Moura in 1994 claimed the lives of 11 miners. Dr Lynham said the inquiry that followed the Moura disaster changed mining safety across the state.
He said he hoped this new inquiry would build on recent attempts by the Government to overhaul safety within the industry.
“Queensland has the world’s toughest mine health and safety laws,” he said. “This government has made sweeping reforms to those laws and there is more to come.”
The mine’s operator Anglo-american said it would “co-operate fully” with the inquiry, which will have powers to conduct public hearings, call witnesses and make recommendations.
“We want answers as to why an ignition of methane occurred at Grosvenor mine and we understand that everyone else does too,” Anglo American chief executive Tyler Mitchelson, said. “We have already commenced our own technical review into the incident with industry experts, including in the areas of methane and ventilation management and forensic fire analysis.”
The injured men’s employer – mining contractor One Key Resources – said it was “committed to working with authorities”. “(We are) deeply shocked and saddened by what happened at the mine,” managing director Glenn Triggs said.
The inquiry will start immediately, but its staffing and terms or reference won’t be announced until later this month.