Moranbah North remains offline as probe continues

* Updated February 27 Moranbah North mining operations remain suspended as investigations continue into elevated gas levels detected last weekend. Meanwhile the CFMEU is calling on the Queensland Government to make urgent changes to the conduct of the ongoing Queensland Coal Mining Board of Inquiry to encompass the incident. Workers were withdrawn from the underground coal mine on Saturday night when mine management identified carbon monoxide and ethylene gas levels in the gas monitoring system, pointing to potential spontaneous heating in the longwall panel. Mine owner Anglo American has stressed methane levels on the longwall were well within the regulatory levels during the incident. Resources Safety & Health Queensland has confirmed that the suspension of underground operations remains while investigations continue. Anglo American gave notice on February 25 of a force majeure event in respect of Moranbah North mine metallurgical coal products. The company said this week it had internal and external experts working to determine the cause of last weekend's event. “The conclusions from the expert review of the incident will inform a comprehensive risk assessment prior to re-entry, which will require regulatory approval,” a spokeswoman said. “The safety of our workforce remains our priority and we are keeping them closely informed.” CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland president Stephen Smyth has written to Resources Minister Scott Stewart about his concerns about the state of health safety in the coal mining industry. In particular, he said he had raised concerns about similarities between events at Moranbah North and those at Grosvenor mine last May, when an underground explosion seriously injured five workers. CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland president Stephen Smyth. 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. Technology to bring step-change in safety Chief executive officer of Anglo American’s metallurgical coal business, Tyler Mitchelson, said the company had engaged regularly with the CFMEU and he continued to welcome any feedback to improve safety. “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 expert 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.” Chief executive officer of Anglo American’s metallurgical coal business, Tyler Mitchelson.

Moranbah North remains offline as probe continues

Industry Queensland

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