CFMEU requests prosecution of Mastermyne management over death of Graham Dawson at Crinum mine

The Mining and Energy Union has formally requested a prosecution of individuals in senior management roles at the Central Queensland mine where coal miner Graham Dawson tragically died.

The CFMEU is fed up with what it calls the “carnage” in Central Queensland’s mining sector and is gunning for a legal remedy.

On Tuesday, the union formally requested the Queensland Work Health and Safety prosecutor to prosecute individuals in senior on-site management roles at the Sojitz Gregory Crinum underground mine, near Emerald, where Bribie Island coal miner Graham Dawson, 60, died in a roof fall incident on September 14, 2021.

CFMEU Queensland district president Stephen Smyth said the call for prosecution was about “justice”.

“From a union perspective, we have had enough of the carnage and loss of life in the mining sector,” he said.

“At the same time, we have also had enough of those who are directly responsible for mine worker safety not being held to account.”

The mine was managed by ASX-listed Mastermyne, now Metarock, and Mr Smyth said the union was pursuing “senior people” within the management structure at the mine, though he would not reveal names.

CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland District president Stephen Smyth says the push for prosecution is about ‘justice’.

“Those that were on site, who were directly responsible,” he said.

“Directly responsible and in control of the mine.”

The union launched its own investigation into Mr Dawson’s death and concluded prosecutions were warranted, arguing Mastermyne’s strata control systems were not adequate in preventing the strata failure that killed Mr Dawson.

Strata control refers to roof, wall and floor stability in mines.

“Mr Dawson’s death was preventable,” Mr Smyth said.

“Mr Dawson went to work and never returned home because the systems in place at the mine failed him.”

Resources Safety and Health Queensland also launched an investigation into the incident and an RSHQ spokesman said the regulator’s inquiry was “ongoing”.

Graham Dawson

“Resources Safety and Health Queensland is committed to a thorough investigation to identify the nature and cause of the incident that claimed the life of Mr Graham Dawson at the Crinum underground coal mine on September 14, 2021,” the spokesman said.

It is understood Mr Dawson’s family supports the union’s push for prosecution.

Metarock recorded a second workplace fatality fewer than seven months later when Gavin Feltwell died at Anglo American’s Moranbah North mine.

Following this, the company launched an independent organisation-wide safety review and found “no major flaws” in its health and safety practices.

The investigation did not include the Crinum and Moranbah North sites because of ongoing investigations.

Mr Dawson’s loved ones told The Courier-Mail they were “broken” by his death, while colleagues and friends expressed their shock following the tragedy.

“Another good man lost to the mining industry, condolences to the Dawson family,” one friend wrote on Facebook.

Metarock has been approached for comment.