Moranbah North re-entry risk assessed

Anglo American is starting procedures to re-enter its Moranbah North underground mine with a risk assessment. It follows evidence of elevated gas levels detected on the weekend of February 20. A senior executive at the time referred to a 'coal heating event'. The company said it has had internal and external experts working to determine the cause. Methane levels within standards The company stressed methane levels on the longwall were well within the regulatory levels during the incident. Board of Inquiry delivers early findings Anglo American gave notice on February 25 of a force majeure event in respect of Moranbah North mine metallurgical coal products. At the time the company said, “the conclusions from the expert review of the incident will inform a comprehensive risk assessment prior to re-entry, which will require regulatory approval.” Expanded board of inquiry CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland president Stephen Smyth has written to Resources Minister Scott Stewart about his concerns on the similarities between events at Moranbah North and those at Grosvenor mine last May, when an underground explosion seriously injured five workers. The union is calling for the following steps to be taken: Board of Inquiry terms of reference broadened to include scrutiny of Moranbah North; Change to the Coal Mine Safety and Health Act so key witnesses can be compelled to give evidence to the Inquiry regardless of self-incrimination privileges; Change to the Act to boost protections against reprisal and potential prosecution for workers who give evidence to the Inquiry. . The Queensland Coal Mining Board of Inquiry was established to look into the underground explosion at Anglo American’s Grosvenor mine on May 6 last year, as well as various high potential incidents involving exceedances of methane limits in other longwall mines in the year leading up to that incident. It is due to begin a second round of public hearings at the Brisbane Magistrates Court from March 9 Chief executive officer of Anglo American’s metallurgical coal business, Tyler Mitchelson, said at the time the company had engaged regularly with the miner’s union and he continued to welcome any feedback to improve safety. Technology offers the best solutions CEO of Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business Tyler Mitchelson “Technological solutions offer the best opportunity to deliver a step-change improvement in safety in underground mining and we are investing in a number of areas,” he said. “Moranbah North is piloting some of this pioneering work including remote longwall operation and other technological innovations. “We are still investigating the cause of the Moranbah North coal heating incident with external technical support, and are continuing to keep our workforce updated. “Ultimately our processes worked to keep people safe, but we are always striving to find solutions to detect and address issues before they arise.”

Moranbah North re-entry risk assessed

Industry Queensland

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