Anglo American has halted production at its Moranbah North mine in central Queensland following a fatal incident yesterday.
Two pieces of machinery collided underground, leading to the death of one worker and leaving 10 others injured. The incident occurred in the access drift close to the surface of the mine.
The cause of the incident is not clear and an investigation by the mines inspectorate is under way.
A driver of a grader, after receiving immediate treatment on site and being transported by ambulance to hospital, has tragically passed away.
Two people were transported by helicopter to Mackay and two to Rockhampton for further treatment for injuries.
They all have been released from the hospital and are now recovering.
“The other six people were assessed on site but needed no further treatment,” an Anglo American spokesperson said.
Anglo American’s executive head of underground operations, Glen Britton said, “We are devastated by the tragic loss of one of our employees in the incident that occurred yesterday at Moranbah North.”
Production will not recommence until the incident site has been released by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.
Moranbah North is an underground longwall mine which began operating in 1998. The mining operation employs more than 600 people.