How two 100 metre truck slides could cost mine operator millions

Haul truck operations at a major Queensland mine were suspended after two trucks slid. It’s not the first time. But the partial suspension order has now been lifted.

Haul truck operations at a major Bowen Basin mine were suspended after two trucks each slid more than 100 metres during an overnight shift.

No one was injured during the incidents at Peak Downs Mine overnight on September 8-9, which involved workers with less than six months experience and prompted a Resources Safety and Health Queensland investigation.

As a result regional mines inspector Paul Brown, who visited the site on Saturday, issued a directive temporarily halting all haul truck operations.

“I gave the (site senior executive) a verbal directive … to suspend operations for unacceptable level of risk, whole of mine,” Mr Brown said.

His investigations revealed “currently a truck slide occurs at Peak Downs Mine every two weeks” and the two most recent involved truck slides of 101 metres and 177 metres.

A dozer in the mud at Peak Downs days after two trucks slid more than 100m each.

Documents viewed by this publication stated “in the past 12 months there had been 33 separate incidents (at Peak Downs mine) involving mobile plant resulting in unplanned movements”, and of that 24 involved rear dump trucks and/or articulated trucks.

Mr Brown stated he had raised concerns with the mine’s former SSE “about the increase and frequency of incidents involving this hazard category”.

The SSE must now ensure a number of matters are addressed including speed monitoring, wet weather training for the two operators involved and a training document for T282 haul truck operations.

“Currently there are no actions signed off as completed as part of the SSEs restart of operations process,” a Mine Record Entry stated.

RSHQ has given a September 30 deadline for all actions, which include those prioritised as necessary before resumption of production as well as longer term action.

An aerial image of the Peak Downs mine. Pic: State of Queensland 2023

“Either way the SSE is required to demonstrate how an acceptable level of risk can be achieved to meet the directive,” the Mine Record Entry stated.

A BMA spokesman confirmed the direction only impacted haul truck operations.

“The trucks were brought to a controlled stop in line with training and site procedures,” he said.

Other operations were allowed to continue including use of light vehicles, dragline operations and drill and blast operations.

“We are working with RSHQ and truck operations will recommence as soon as we have completed all safety checks,” the BMA spokesman said.

In an updated statement on Monday, RSHQ coal mines chief inspector Jacques le Roux said the partial suspension order at Peak Downs Mine was lifted just after 7.30pm on Friday.

“The conditions were met, and the short-term controls have been put in place to ensure the risk is at an acceptable level. We’ll continue to work with the mine to ensure the safety of all workers,” he said.

TRUCK SLIDES THE FINAL STRAW, SAYS UNION

The Mining and Energy Union have labelled these truck slides as the “final straw” on the back of a horror six months.

MEU safety and health representative Jason Hill said there had been 54 serious incidents across the mining industry that included both a dozer and rear dump truck being burnt, and a pedestrian being struck by a light vehicle at Peak Downs mine.

Mr Hill said there had already been a directive sent to the mine earlier his year to review is Safety and Health Management System to prevent collisions.

“There have been a number of incidents where it could have went either way and we’re lucky it went the right way … could have been dealing with a number of fatalities,” Mr Hill said.

“ (RSHQ) should have taken control and shut them down earlier than they did.”

“They’ve been sitting on their hands doing nothing for a number of months while Peak Downs continues out of control.”

The union also has the power to suspend operations if there is a danger.

Mr Hill said “it’s a bit hard to say there’s a danger if the incident has already happened”, adding union representatives had to be onsite to witness the danger.

“Inspectors have the power where they don’t have to be,” Mr Hill said.

RSHQ Chief Inspector of Coal Mines Jacques le Roux said the suspension would remain in place “until the inspector who issued the directive believes the risk can be managed within acceptable limits”.

“RSHQ is working closely with the mine to ensure its safety controls can prevent a repeat of these incidents,” Mr le Roux said.