Anglo will pay workers till July 15 after Grosvenor fire, as mine’s future uncertain

A jet engine has been deployed to kill a Bowen Basin mine fire, as the council, union, and Anglo insist the community isn’t at risk from the smoke.

Smoke is visible from Moranbah and Anglo American appreciates that it may cause problems for residents.

Isaac council, Anglo American and the Mining and Energy Union have presented a united front, assuring Moranbah the air is safe to breathe while the fire at Grosvenor is slowly choked out.

And for the first time since the fire broke out, the company is discussing a potential ‘safe restart’ at the ‘appropriate time’ in the future.

A joint statement from Isaac Mayor Kelly Vea Vea, Mining and Energy Union general vice president Stephen Smyth and Anglo CEO Dan van der Westhuizen acknowledged the “uncertainty” the fire was causing for the local community.

“We have been in contact with the environmental regulator (DESI). DESI monitoring units are providing air quality data for particulate matter in the Moranbah area and those air quality readings have so far remained within DESI’s ‘Good’ (green) quality category.

“External health specialists have reassured us that, based on current information they have, there is no impact to community health”.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, mine operators Anglo American said that work is progressing to temporarily seal the exterior of the mine.

“We continue to make positive progress towards the temporary sealing of Grosvenor Mine, with all work proceeding safely and to plan,” the statement read.

The sealing efforts mean the amount of oxygen available to the underground fire has greatly reduced.

“The QMRS mobile extinguisher unit (GAG) continues to help in this effort. As a result, smoke continues to reduce.”

The Isaac Local Disaster Coordination Centre also issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon, advising that two atmospheric environmental monitors are being utilised to test the atmospheric quality in Moranbah.

“Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS) is on site responding to the incident at Grosvenor Mine, which began on Saturday, June 29,” the statement read.

“As part of their response, QMRS have two atmospheric environmental monitors, which are being utilised in Moranbah, to test the atmospheric quality.

“The monitors identify and quantify components of atmospheric mixtures.

“QMRS, as an independent body, will take readings twice a day, one in the industrial area near Grosvenor Mine and another in the Moranbah Town Square.

“All monitors have reported readings within acceptable limits with no impact on community health from the smoke or airborne contaminants.”
Workers at the Grosvenor coal mine will be paid by Anglo for the next two weeks, but what will happen beyond that remains unclear.

An internal staff memo by Anglo CEO Daniel van der Westhuizen said the company has met representatives from four unions on Monday to confirm is workforce — and contractors — would be paid until July 15.

“We will update on next steps ahead of this date and are working collaboratively with unions around short to medium term ongoing employment options for our Grosvenor workforce,” he said.

“We will engage with Grosvenor employees once we have a better understanding of the situation.”

At the time of the incident, Anglo American was undergoing measures to upgrade the longwall mine.

Smoke billowed from the Grosvenor mine as workers were evacuated and sent home until further notice.

It is understood the company spent more than $200m on equipment when upgrading its smaller longwall mine, Aquila in 2022.

It is unclear how much money it has invested in Grosvenor and how much of that equipment remains underground.

The former mayor and Moranbah resident expressed a feeling of deja vu as she thought about the situation ongoing at Grosvenor mine.

Moranbah resident and Labor candidate for Burdekin Anne Baker said she felt dejavu when she heard the news.

“It seems like it was only yesterday that five men were seriously burned and here we are again,” the former Isaac mayor said.

“This is a repeated incident, four years is simply not good enough.”

Former Isaac mayor Anne Baker is now running for the state seat of Burdekin with the Labor Party. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Mrs Baker emphasised her gratitude that in this instance no one was injured and attributed praised Anglo American’s swiftly executed evacuation procedure.

“There will always be an impact to the broader community but once again we’re in the early days,” she said.

A Mining Energy Union spokesperson said workers are shocked and traumatised and have been offered counselling while their future remains unclear.

“Workers were provided with transport home in the wake of Saturday’s event and remain on normal pay at this stage.

“Timelines and prospects for reopening the mine remain unclear for now.

“We are holding regular meetings with Anglo to discuss the evolving situation at the mine and the outlook for workers.”

The methane ignition incident at the mine has filled the small community with uncertainty as hundreds of miners are sent home.

Employees from the BP on Goonyella Rd reported that strong smelling smoke was everywhere throughout the day on Sunday, while one resident complained that her house was still “smelly”.

Isaac mayor Kelly Vea Vea expressed her support for the communities under her leadership, but also echoed the concerns of workers about the future of Grosvenor mine.

“Many people are feeling the impacts,” Ms Vea Vea said.

Isaac Regional Council deputy Mayor Kelly Vea Vea was elected unopposed.

“Workers are uncertain about their future, especially those who experienced the events of 2020 and are extremely triggered.

“It’s too early to understand how or if (the mine’s) position has been affected.”

Ms Vea Vea added that Anglo American’s recent decision to put their mines up for sale, contributed to anxieties.

“Underground mine workers are a tight-knit group, and although no one was hurt, the sense of loss is still significant with the decision to seal Grosvenor Mine.”

Despite the unfolding incident, residents of the town of 10,000 are not panicking yet.

Vic at The Square Peg & Hi-Dip Trophies camping store in the Town Square said that it was business as usual.

“Pretty steady this week with school holidays.”

Fires still rage underground as smoke continues to rise from ventilation shafts.

Although Vic said she could not smell the smoke from the shop, her husband could still see and smell the smoke from their Moranbah home.

Curtis, a venue manager at the Black Nugget Motel, said that you wouldn’t be able to tell any fire was burning on Monday afternoon.

Several of his employees reported smelling smoke, but Curtis himself was unable to smell it due to congestion issues.

Curtis, under the impression the mine was closing for good, said that it didn’t phase him.

“I’m a roll with the punches kind of guy,” he said.

State Member for Townsville Scott Stewart. Picture: Shae Beplate.

While Curtis may roll with the punches, the 1400 workers of Grosvenor mine might not be so cavalier, as Anglo American remains vague with when they expect the fire to be under control and if the mine could ever be reopened.

Before the catastrophe, Anglo was in the process of selling its Bowen Basin coal mines, and trimming down its workforce as part of a suite of measures to bring production prices under $US100 per tonne.

Burdekin MP Dale Last has stressed the impact of this incident on the Bowen Basin communities, and called for Anglo to guarantee worker pay beyond the short term.