Byerwen Coal Mine Operations Suspended After Second Fatal Accident

Operations have been suspended at the Byerwen Coal Mine in Queensland following a fatal accident that has resulted in a second death within three weeks.

The mining regulatory authority has taken action to halt the use of all heavy vehicles at the Bowen Basin site, where a 56-year-old man from Bundaberg lost his life on Thursday due to an industrial accident involving two vehicles.

This incident comes just weeks after another tragic event at the same mine, where a worker was killed after being struck by a demountable building lifted by a crane.

QCoal, the mine’s owner, voluntarily suspended operations and sent employees home with full pay while investigations are conducted. A small number of workers will remain on site for essential services.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) issued a directive to stop all heavy vehicle operations until a thorough safety assessment can be completed.

Rob Djukic, chief executive of RSHQ, emphasized that this action was necessary to ensure the safety of workers and to prevent further risks until a review is conducted.

Despite requests from the Mining and Energy Union to revoke QCoal’s mining license, Resources Minister Scott Stewart stated that such decisions are under the jurisdiction of RSHQ, which is responsible for worker safety.

The latest victim was employed by contractor Macmahon, which has extended counseling support to affected workers. Union representatives have criticized QCoal’s management and raised concerns about workplace safety culture.

Scott Stewart reassured that Queensland has some of the toughest safety regulations globally and that continuous investigations aim to enhance these protections.

Premier Steven Miles referred to the incident as tragic and highlighted the growing concern about repeated fatalities at the site.

As of this year, Queensland has seen three out of the six mining fatalities reported in Australia, raising alarm within the mining community.

Professor David Cliff from the University of Queensland pointed out that the industry’s fatality rates have not seen improvement over the past decade, stressing the preventable nature of vehicle accidents and workplace incidents.