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Beaconsfield inquest resumes

The inquest into the death of Beaconsfield miner Larry Knight is continuing, more than two years after the fatal rockfall.

Knight was killed in the Anzac Day 2006 rockfall which trapped fellow miners Brant Webb and Todd Russel for a fortnight.

The inquest began briefly last September when special investigator Greg Mellick completed a 700 page report that found a mining induced rockfall killed Knight and trapped Russell and Webb 900 m below the surface.

Mellick was unable to say whether or not the rockfall could have been prevented if the mine had provided more structural support underground.

The counsel for Beaconsfield Gold argued at a preliminary hearing two weeks ago that there was no need for the inquest because the Mellick report had already covered the issues.

Coroner Rod Chandler, however, ruled that an inquest was required as a man had died at a workplace.

The inquest, which could last for three months, is expected to hear from over 30 witnesses.

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