Gas concerns raised at mine before blast, union says

The underground coal mine at the centre of an horrific blast on Wednesday had experienced ongoing issues with high methane levels, the CFMEU says. Five men were airlifted to Brisbane after suffering severe burns in an underground explosion, believed to have been caused by ignition of gas on the longwall face at Anglo American's Grosvenor mine near Moranbah. The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital said this afternoon that four of the men, aged in their 40s and early 50s, remained in a critical condition. The fifth man, 44, was now in a stable condition, a spokeswoman said. CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland President Stephen Smyth said Grosvenor was known to have high methane levels and that concerns around the management of gas had been raised by union members on a number of occasions. However he said the causes of yesterday’s event must be allowed to be investigated in full. The union is calling for any mineworkers who give evidence about safety breaches in any investigation into yesterday’s explosion to be given ‘whistleblower’ protections. “In addition to investigations at the mine, the Queensland Government is seeking advice on a board of inquiry, which we would strongly support,” Mr Smyth said. “Any inquiry must look not only at the procedural and engineering failures that have resulted in this apparent ignition at the longwall face, but also the safety culture when the whole workforce is outsourced and casualised as is the case at Grosvenor." Mr Smyth said mineworkers on shift during yesterday’s underground explosion were traumatised and some had broken down when talking about the horrific injuries they had witnessed. CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland district president Stephen Smyth. Discussing the 'terrible and tragic' incident on the Today show this morning, Mr Smyth said there had been potential for catastrophic loss of life and damage as 'literally hundreds' of people had been working underground at the time. Mr Smyth said receiving news of the such an incident put chills down his back. "Being an underground coal miner myself, I can just imagine what those poor bastards went through with this particular incident, and the ripple effect throughout the mine and the mining communities of Queensland - everyone feels it and everyone then thinks about how it could have been them and how it could have affected their lives," he said. Chief executive officer of Anglo American’s metallurgical coal business, Tyler Mitchelson said he had been with some of the team at the mine today. "There is a great deal of shock and concern for our colleagues, and we are providing all the assistance we can," he said. "I would like to thank everyone who has helped over the past 24 hours – the people on site, the mines rescue teams and all of the incredible medical personnel who have taken care of the five injured men and their families. "We will work through this step by step with the authorities to understand what went wrong, drawing on the best possible expert advice. Our priority still remains the safety and the care of our people." Resilient communities will pull through Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said her thoughts and prayers were with the injured workers, their families, workmates and loved ones affected by this incident. "Our communities are known for their resilience in times of adversity and while we never wish to have this resilience tested, I am sure we will support each other and come through this together," she said. "Miners and their families know there are risks but every single worker should be able to return home safely to their family when their shift is done. It is our miners that will keep our economy going during our nation’s time of need but their safety and wellbeing must always be the top priority." Former Grosvenor miner Wade Rothery says he has been horrified at news of members of his former crew fighting for their lives after an explosion at the Central Queensland mine. Mr Rothery was part of the crew that established the first longwall at the Anglo American mine in 2016 and was also a member mines rescue team. Now the One Nation candidate for Keppel, he is advocating for a higher ratio of mines rescue personnel at Queensland mines and is questioning the conditions that led to the explosion. “I’ve spoken to some of the families whose husbands and partners have been involved and they’re going through an enormously difficult time," he said. “Like everyone, I’m sitting here questioning how gas levels reached an explosive range when every section of the pit is fitted with highly sensitive and compulsory gas monitors?” Former Grosvenor miner Wade Rothery. Mr Rothery said the Grosvenor mine was a contractor pit with staff provided through One Key Resources. “The crews who work on this site don’t have the security of permanent employment and I’m hopeful Anglo American do the right thing.” Mr Rothery said. He said he would like to see all mine staff given basic training in mines rescue, just as they were in first aid. https://www.i-q.net.au/main/board-of-inquiry-mooted-after-grosvenor-explosion https://www.i-q.net.au/main/critically-injured-miners-airlifted-after-explosion

Gas concerns raised at mine before blast, union says

Industry Queensland

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