Authorities are investigating the latest workplace death at a Central Queensland coal operation.
Queensland Police, the State Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and more want to know exactly how a night-shift employee became fatally injured at the Curragh Mine in Blackwater, 209km west of Rockhampton.
Emergency responders first arrived at the scene about 2:15am on November 21. All work has since been temporarily suspended until officials and the proponent, Coronado Global Resources, identify the incident’s precise “nature and cause”.
“A full investigation is being conducted into the accident,” a Coronado representative said in a public statement.
“Operations at Curragh have been temporarily suspended to allow authorities to work through the necessary investigation activities.”
The employer revealed colleagues and loved ones are devastated by the tragedy, and every courtesy will be extended to immediate family members and affected coworkers. Counselling services have been made available.
“Coronado is deeply saddened by this tragic event and are working with all appropriate authorities to secure the site and understand the cause of the incident,” the company said.
“Coronado extends its deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the individual.”
The remarks came almost two years after Thiess employee Donald Rabbit became trapped under heavy machinery, and crushed to death, at the same mine back in January 2020.
The Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor later launched legal action against the operator, contractor and a former site senior executive during May 2021.
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