Chris Schloss mourned as well-loved member of QCoal, Byerwen after mine camp death

“Heartbreaking” details about a 48-year-old father of five who lost his life at a Queensland mine camp can be revealed as tensions flare amid the investigation into his crane death.

Chris Schloss, who died in a workplace incident at QCoal’s Byerwen workers accommodation camp at Suttor, was part of the Tell Them Where To Go campaign fighting against legislation mandating QCoal relocate workers to Glenden. Picture: QCoal

The victim of a fatal crane rollover at a Central Queensland mine has been identified as Chris Schloss.

The 48-year-old father of five was pronounced dead at QCoal workers’ accommodation camp at Suttor, southwest of Mackay, on Saturday.

QCoal Group Executive James Black said his loss has been devastating to all.

“Chris has been part of the QCoal family for many years and has been integral in developing Byerwen since its launch,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with Chris’ wife Amanda, their daughter and all their family at this terrible time.”

Chris Schloss, 48, died in a workplace incident at the QCoal workers accommodation camp at Suttor, southwest of Mackay, on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Wollombi Rd at 7.30am after reports a crane had struck Mr Schloss.

Mr Black said the company is working with investigators, but the immediate focus is on supporting family and friends.

“The death of such a long-serving, senior and well-loved member of the QCoal team has obviously left us shocked,” he said.

“His family is coming to terms with the worst news you can possibly hear, and we are helping them through this tragedy.

The Byerwen workers' accommodation camp at Suttor, used by miners, including Macmahon contractors, at QCoal's Byerwen mine. Picture: Contributed

The Suttor camp is the main accommodation for workers at the adjacent Byerwen Mine, located about 45 minutes away from Glenden in the Bowen Basin, which QCoal is campaigning to keep in lieu of packing up and moving into Glenden.

Mr Schloss appears in videos by QCoal as part of the ‘Tell them where to go’ campaign.

“Chris was an active member of our current campaign around preserving the Byerwen camp and his family have asked that his image and words not be removed as he felt strongly about the issue and they want to honour his legacy,” Mr Black said.

Mr Schloss is survived by five children — Magan, Thomas, Kate, Memphys and Zara.

Workers ‘not supported’ by QCoal: Mining and Energy Union

The Mining and Energy Union, in a statement, has called out mine owner QCoal and claimed production at the mine near Glenden has resumed with workers expected to work and sleep in the camp close to where the incident occurred.

The Byerwen workers' accommodation camp at Suttor, used by miners, including Macmahon contractors, at QCoal's Byerwen mine. Picture: Contributed

MEU Queensland President Mitch Hughes said many workers did not feel supported to take time off if they need it.

“Our members are shocked and devastated by Saturday’s events,” he said.

“Members have told us they fear being targeted if they ask to go home instead of continuing their swing in the wake of the accident. They are distressed sleeping so close to where the fatality has occurred.

“Workers on site were in the middle of their swing when this occurred. It’s very disappointing that the company didn’t cease production for a longer period to provide proper care and support, including supporting workers to return home to be with their families.”

The union also claimed the crane was being used to extend the camp at the time.
QCoal declined to respond to the claims.

Crane ‘rolled onto its side’: RSHQ

Resources Health and Safety Queensland chief executive Rob Djukic said they were committed to a “through investigation” of the fatality with a RSHQ coal inspector and an investigator from the Serious Incident Investigation Unit attending.

“Although it is too early to identify a cause of the incident, initial reports indicate it involved a pick and carry crane, which rolled onto its side … our thoughts are with the worker’s family, friends and colleagues,” Mr Djukic said on Saturday.

The Byerwen workers' accommodation camp at Suttor, used by miners, including Macmahon contractors, at QCoal's Byerwen mine. Picture: Contributed

On Monday, that investigation expanded with the ‘Simtars’ division deployed.

Mr Djukic said the team will use scanning technology to capture the scene to inform them.

“Simtars is our ‘Safety in mines testing and research station’, he said.

A Queensland Police Service spokesperson confirmed a report would be prepared for the coroner.

‘Our hearts are heavy’: Isaac mayor

Isaac Regional Council mayor Kelly Vea Vea said it was with “unity and sadness” the mining community stood together in the wake of the “heartbreaking” death.

“Our hearts are heavy with the news that a member of our mining community from QCoal’s Byerwen Coal Mine will never return home,” Ms Vea Vea posted to Facebook on Saturday evening.

“We send our deepest sympathies and unwavering support to his family, friends, and colleagues.

The Moranbah Miners’ Memorial is a special place in Moranbah built to commemorate those who have died in the coal mining industry. Pictured are workmates of miner Gavin Feltwell, who tragically died in a lifting incident at the Moranbah North underground mine on March 25. Picture: Duncan Evans

“To the first responders, medical staff, and emergency services who were there in his darkest hour, you are in our thoughts.

“Tonight across the coalfields, we reflect on the sacrifices made and the risks taken by those who work tirelessly to support their loved ones and our community.”

Workers at the mine are no strangers to grief.

Mr Schloss’s death comes less than five months after 21-year-old Byerwen miner Zahn Rothery was killed in a horror crash when his vehicle struck a tree at Nebo on his way home from work.

Investigation will be ‘full and thorough’: Stewart

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said there would be a “full and thorough” investigation into Mr Schloss’s death.

“No death should happen at any workplace and my thoughts are with the man’s family, friends and colleagues today,” Mr Stewart said on Saturday.

A Mining and Energy Union spokeswoman said it was conducting its own investigations after having “received the terrible news”.

“Our thoughts are with the family and workmates as we work to understand what has occurred,” the spokeswoman said.

QCoal Group executive James Black (pictured) said family asked for Mr Schloss’ picture, and videos from the campaign to be shared. Picture: Contributed

The site of the incident has been the centre of a long-running legal drama after Isaac Regional Council rejected QCoal’s bid to expand the Suttor camp.

Judge William Everson of the Planning and Environment Court sided in November 2021 with the council’s claims workers could be housed in nearby Glenden.

QCoal's Byerwen mine (right in image) is just a short drive away from its workers accommodation camp along Wollombi Rd (pictured on left). Picture: Queensland Globe

Glenden is a mining town aligned with Swiss-based Glencore, built with the expectation it would be demolished after the Newlands mine wound down, but a campaign to save Glenden shifted the responsibility to QCoal, the owners of Byerwen coal mine.

The approval of the mine in 2014 was secured on the basis that QCoal would provide temporary and permanent housing for the mine workforce in Glenden, however the majority of workers stay at the Suttor camp.