A person has been killed in a mining accident at an open-cut coal mine in central Queensland, police have confirmed.
Key points:
- All work at the Curragh mine has been suspended while the worker’s death is investigated
- Another worker was killed at the mine in January last year
- Mine operator Coronado has offered “deepest sympathies” to family of the worker killed this morning
The Forensic Crash Unit went to the Curragh Coal Mine, north of Blackwater in the Bowen Basin, after the fatality was reported about 2:15am.
A spokesperson for Coronado Global Resources, which operates the mine, said all work had been suspended while authorities conducted investigations.
“A full investigation is being conducted into the accident and Coronado is working with the Queensland police, the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and other authorities,” the spokesperson said.
It is the second death at the mine in less than two years.
Goondiwindi man Donald Rabbit was killed on January 12, 2020 when he was trapped under heavy machinery.
That case is still the subject of legal proceedings.
Worker killed ‘on duty’
A Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) spokesperson said the worker killed this morning was fatally injured while on duty.
“The incident occurred at approximately 12:43am,” the spokesperson said.
“RSHQ inspectors are at site commencing inquiries into the nature and cause of the incident.
“The worker’s family has been notified.”
The Coronado spokesperson said the company offered “their deepest sympathies to the family, friends and workmates of the employee”.
“The company is focused on supporting its workers at Curragh and counselling services are being made available,” the spokesperson said.
