Curragh operations halted as death probe continues

The man killed at the Curragh coal mine near Blackwater at the weekend has been identified as experienced dragline operator Clark Peadon. Clark Peadon. Mine owner Coronado Global Resources said Mr Peadon had worked at Curragh since 2006, stating "he was a highly respected member of our team". Operations at Curragh have been suspended as authorities work through investigations into the fatal accident. "Our thoughts are with Clark’s family, friends and co-workers and with everyone impacted by this tragic loss," the company said in a statement today. "A full investigation is being conducted into the accident and Coronado is working with the Queensland Police, the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and other authorities." CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland president Stephen Smyth told News Ltd there had been “a lot of messiness” across the resources industry in the past six months. “We’re having a lot of inquiries, having a lot of resets … There’s a lot of (talk) but there’s no follow-through,” he said. It is the second workplace death within two years at Curragh, after Donald Rabbitt was killed during a tyre change activity in the workshop on January 12 last year. Other recent tragedies include the death of Graham Dawson in a roof fall at the Crinum underground mine near Emerald in September and a serious accident at Peabody's Coppabella mine last month. Related: Safety alert after coal worker crushed In that case a contracted employee was pinned between a tyre and a ladder, causing multiple injuries to his upper body, while helping to clean a haul truck. And in June Queensland's Coal Mining Board of Inquiry handed down a report highlighting multiple failings in the lead-up to a blast that seriously injured five men at Anglo American's Grosvenor mine in May last year. QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane. Safety a 'core priority' - QRC Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said safety was a core priority of the industry. He said the peak body was deeply saddened by news of the weekend death. "Our thoughts go out to the family and work colleagues involved," he said. Resources Minister Scott Stewart said any death on a Queensland mine sites was unacceptable. "I am deeply saddened by the death of a worker at Coronado Global Resources’ Curragh mine," he said. "I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Any death on Queensland mine sites is unacceptable." The latest incident at Curragh happened prior to 12.40am on Sunday. Curragh is an open-cut coal mine using a mix of dragline and truck/shovel operations.

Curragh operations halted as death probe continues

Industry Queensland

Related News

Wet season releases advance Capricorn Copper restart goal

Quick fire – industry news briefs

Figures firm for Isaac Downs extension project

Get access to breaking mining news, now.