Anglo American takes first steps to reopening Grosvenor coal mine
Operators of a central Queensland mine where five workers suffered horrific injuries in a methane blast earlier this year have taken the first steps towards resuming mining.
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The operators of a central Queensland mine where five workers were injured in a blast in May have taken the first step to resuming operations next year.
Anglo American executives have today updated workers on investigations into the May 6 blast at the Grosvenor mine in the Bowen Basin and plans to improve safety before they underground operations in 2021.
The briefing, seen by The Courier-Mail, also revealed the company had ordered a review of its bonus structures at all sites with a focus on recognising safety measures.
Anglo American Metallurgical Coal CEO Tyler Mitchelson said safety was a priority for all plans to reopen the mine.
“The next step for us will be to safely re-enter the mine, to enable the completion of permanent seals and re-establishing mine integrity,” he said.
“Safety comes first, and we’re taking the time to ensure mining does not restart until we know it’s safe to do so.”
“We will ensure that relevant learnings, including from the investigations and the inquiry which are underway, are captured and actioned within our business.”
The company has lodged a risk assessment with the Mines Inspectorate, which is the first step to be resuming mining in the second half of next year.
Mr Mitchelson said investigators were still trying to determine what triggered the blast and the company was continuing to provide medical support for the injured miners.
It’s understood all five men have been released from hospital.
Higher production push at Grosvenor months before blast
He also announced a new analytics centre at the company’s Brisbane offices would “bring together operational, engineering and data science experts to look at major challenges and opportunities for the future of our mines”.
“As the largest underground miner in Australia, we are uniquely positioned to leverage our own data and technology to transform the way we analyse data to drive safer operations, better decisions and achieve mining excellence,” he said
“The first priority for this centre will be in underground operations gas and ventilation management.”
