Emergency Operation in Place to Rescue Trapped Workers in Ballarat Gold Mine

Emergency services are currently undertaking a high-stakes rescue operation at the Ballarat Gold Mine, situated in Mount Clear, following a rockfall incident that left 27 workers trapped underground.

The incident, which occurred around 3 kilometers into the mine, saw two workers initially pinned by falling rocks, with the remaining workers managing to move to a safe location within the mine.

Victoria Police, paramedics, and the Country Fire Authority‘s mine rescue unit swiftly responded to the scene, with one of the two trapped miners successfully rescued and airlifted to Alfred Hospital for treatment of lower body injuries.

Efforts are still underway to free the second trapped worker, as emergency services work tirelessly to ensure the safe extraction of all individuals involved.

Following the rescue of the initial worker, the remaining 25 miners were brought to the surface late in the evening and are currently being assessed by paramedics for any injuries sustained during the incident.

WorkSafe Victoria has been alerted to the situation and is deploying inspectors and technical specialists to investigate the circumstances surrounding the rockfall at the underground mine near Ballarat.

Former geologist at Ballarat Gold Mine, Matt Hernan, explained that the mine’s operations extend from Mount Clear deep into the center of Ballarat, with workers mining a fault zone that may present challenges in maintaining stability within the underground infrastructure.

The mine’s operational history has seen periods of struggle, with previous ownership facing administration in 2021 and subsequent acquisition by a company based in Singapore in late 2023.

Past safety concerns have been highlighted by the Australian Workers Union, with instances such as a tunnel collapse in March 2021 and a similar incident in 2007, emphasizing the need for stringent safety protocols to be upheld within the mining industry.