The State Opposition is questioning the role of the Queensland Mines Inspectorate in preventing incidents in mines and quarries, after more revelations on the history of high-methane incidents at Grosvenor.

The Australian reported today that the Anglo American coal mine had recorded dangerously high methane levels at least 98 times in the four years before the May 6 longwall explosion that seriously injured five workers.

Records showed the mines inspectorate was informed of the recurring high-potential incidents and visited the central Queensland metallurgical mine repeatedly, but never directed Anglo to suspend operations.

The May 6 explosion has sparked an independent mine safety Board of Inquiry. Twenty-seven ‘high potential incidents’ at Grosvenor coal mine are among multiple cases of excess methane gas levels within the past year to be probed.

LNP spokesman and member for Burdekin Dale Last described the details revealed in the The Australian today as deeply disturbing, saying they posed more questions than answers.

“Our miners raised major concerns leading up to the incident last month but, it seems the Palaszczuk Government’s mines inspectorate did nothing to intervene,” said Mr Last.

“Allegations around the cosy relationship between certain inspectors and mine operators when it came to reporting safety issues should be ringing alarm bells.

“The LNP revealed last week more than a dozen safety directives or standards notices were issued over the two years prior to the methane explosion at the Grosvenor coal mine – but work at the mine was never forced to stop.”

He said terms of reference for the Board of Inquiry needed to be expanded to include the role of the Inspectorate and that public hearings should be a mandatory requirement.

The office of Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said he would not be commenting about matters to do with Grosvenor while the Board of Inquiry is underway.

The Board’s terms of reference do not preclude it looking into the role of the inspectorate.

A public statement from Anglo American today said the company comprehensively responded to all Mine Record Entries and High Potential Incidents.

“As the largest underground coal miner in Queensland, we have been at the forefront of technical innovation and have invested significantly in technology to improve safety in our mines, including additional methane detection equipment, digitisation to improve underground communication and automation of equipment,” the company stated.

“We will continue to prioritise work in this area, and we expect that emergent technological solutions will form part of our response to the incident.

It says the company’s underground mines are located in a methane-rich area of the Bowen Basin, and it intentionally exceeds the regulatory requirements by having a higher number of methane sensors and additional controls than specified in the regulations.

In the two years between July 1, 2018 and June 15, 2020, the Inspectorate issued 2872 directives and substandard condition or practice notices relating to safety and compliance at Queensland mines and quarries, the company said.

“Grosvenor Mine accounted for just 13 of these – less than 0.5 per cent. We comply with any directives that are provided following inspections at our mines,” the company stated.

“We are fully cooperating with the Queensland Government’s Board of Inquiry. It would be premature for anyone to preempt this process by speculating about the significance of information or incidents outside this inquiry and other investigations underway.”