Missing worker found dead after roof collapse at Queensland coalmine
A missing worker at the Curragh coalmine in central Queensland was found dead following a roof collapse late Friday, with the site reportedly up to 1 km underground. The deceased worker was located by emergency responders on Saturday night after specialist teams had stabilized the mine site to gain access. Another worker had been recovered earlier, but the second worker could not be saved.
The Curragh coalmine, situated north of Blackwater about 200 km west of Rockhampton, covers approximately 256 square kilometers across two mines and has been in operation since 1983. The mine has been owned by Coronado Global Resources since 2018. In response to the incident, Coronado Global Resources suspended underground mining operations. CEO Douglas Thompson expressed sadness over the tragedy and offered support to Mammoth Underground Mine Management. The company has initiated investigations with authorities to determine the cause of the collapse.
Separately, around 300 km north of Curragh, a 58-year-old gold prospector died at a private Mount Britton mine after being struck by falling rocks. The death was attributed to leg injuries sustained in the accident.
Queensland acting mines minister Tony Perrett described both incidents as tragic reminders of the risks present in the resources sector. He called for full and thorough investigations to provide answers and lessons learned from the accidents.
