MMG suspended operations at its Dugald River zinc mine at the weekend as fire threatened the North West Queensland site.
A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said the service was called shortly after 6.30pm on Saturday to a large bushfire in the area, about 65km north-west of Cloncurry.
Six Rural Fire Service Queensland and Queensland Fire and Rescue crews were battling the fire at the peak of the effort, which included working with mine management to carry out backburning and using heavy machinery to create fire breaks.
A 5km-6km fire front was reported to be burning on the north and eastern side of the mine site on Saturday night, with flames as close as 20m-30m to buildings.
Fire crews’ efforts were initially concentrated on protecting structures and site access.
The Queensland Fire Department spokesman said the service maintained a presence throughout the weekend, but a check today indicated the area was secure and it was safe for workers to return.
An MMG spokeswoman said operations at Dugald River had been suspended for the health and safety of its people due to grassfires burning on the perimeter of the site.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and will restart when it is safe to do so,” she said.
“At MMG, safety is our number one value, and the health and wellbeing of our people is our priority.”
- Correction. An earlier version of this story suggested many workers were evacuated from the mine site, however it is understood people were shifted between areas within the Dugald River lease as a precaution.
