Anglo American is committing $5 million to fund underground mining research following the release of a report into an incident at its Grosvenor underground coal mine which injured five employees last year.
The Queensland Coal Mining Board of Inquiry’s second report on the incident was tabled in Queensland Parliament this week by Minister for Resources Scott Stewart.
The board found Anglo American failed to take meaningful action to control the hazard posed by the gas.
“The gas emissions being generated by the mine’s rate of production were in excess of the capacity of the mine’s gas drainage system,” the report said.
It also found spontaneous combustion had not been factored into risk assessments, and that no adjustment to production had been made to allow for the lack of capacity in gas drainage.
Anglo American Metallurgical Coal business chief executive officer Tyler Mitchelson said the company is already acting on the recommendations of the report, including $60 million of investment in safety initiatives over the last year.
“We have been clear from the outset that the incident on 6 May 2020 in which five of our colleagues were badly injured was unacceptable. The safety of our workforce is always our first priority,” Mitchelson said.
“Over the past 12 months, we have put in place a range of measures to address issues that have come to light through detailed investigations and evidence before the Board of Inquiry.
“Over this period, we have already committed more than $60 million in technology pilots, additional gas drainage infrastructure, expert reviews and further improvements to a range of processes and controls.
“Underground coal mining, particularly in the area where Grosvenor mine is located, is complex with many interacting considerations and, as the board has identified, further research into certain technical areas such as gas and spontaneous combustion management would benefit the industry. We will be helping to advance knowledge in these areas through our further $5 million funding commitment.
Mitchelson said the industry would be safer following the implementation of the recommendations from the Board of Inquiry.
In a statement, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) said it welcomed the findings of the report.
“RSHQ will continue to help coal mine operators’ meet their obligations to protect coal mine workers and give effect to the board’s recommendations about improving risk-management,” RSHQ stated.
“We are also committed to ensuring any relevant learnings are applied to other resources operations. Our vision is for a Queensland resources industry free from serious harm.”