Grosvenor pay pledge amid mine fire battle

Anglo American has undertaken to continue to pay its Grosvenor workforce, including embedded contractors, for a fortnight as efforts continue to fight a fire in the underground coal mine. "We will update on next steps ahead of this date (July 15)," Anglo American Australia - steelmaking coal chief executive officer Daniel van der Westhuizen said in an internal note. He also reported that the company was working with unions around short to medium-term ongoing employment options for Grosvenor workers. It came as Member for Burdekin Dale Last called to ensure affected workers were supported, saying that there was very little hope of the longwall mine reopening. Mr Last, the Opposition spokesman for mines, said yesterday he would like to see Anglo confirm that all workers, including those working as subcontractors, would be paid in full, at least until a final decision was made. He also called for workers' entitlements to be paid promptly if the decision was made to close the Bowen Basin mine. “Make no mistake, the impact of this incident will be a major hit for places like Moranbah and for the state as a whole," he said. "Both Anglo and the wider resources sector have a role in finding jobs for the affected workers and minimising the economic impact on the region.” The Grosvenor workforce was evacuated on Saturday after coal gas ignited at the mine, which was also the site of an underground gas explosion in 2020 that seriously injured five workers. Related: Anglo flags months of work before mine re-entry hopes Anglo's communications on social media are couched around continued operations at Grosvenor. In a social media update, the company said it was continuing to engage with its people and key stakeholders and to work with RSHQ and union representatives "to understand the next steps with a view to implementing a safe restart and continued safe operation, at the appropriate time". Anglo American last night confirmed the underground fire was continuing, but said the Queensland Mines Rescue Service's mobile extinguisher unit (GAG) was now fully operational and smoke had visibly reduced. "We are working closely with Isaac Regional Council to keep the community informed of the potential impact from smoke," the company said. "DESI monitoring units are providing air quality data for particulate matter in the Moranbah area and those air quality readings have so far remained within DESI's ‘Good’ (green) quality category. "External health specialists have reassured us that, based on current information they have, there is no impact to community health. However, any member of the community concerned about the risk to them or their family, should seek medical advice. We will also continue to monitor the situation." Related: Smoke alert for community as Grosvenor fire fight continues Mr Last said he welcomed Resources Minister Scott Stewart's announcement that a full investigation would be undertaken into the Grosvenor fire. "... But I would remind the Minister that, after the last incident at Grosvenor mine, there were concerns raised about the ability of the investigation to get to the bottom of what happened," he said. He said workers, their loved ones, and the wider community, deserved the truth and the investigation must be provided with the resources and powers it needed to get that truth.

Grosvenor pay pledge amid mine fire battle

Industry Queensland

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