Underground worker dies at Carborough Downs coal mine

All work has been suspended at a central Queensland coal mine after a 57-year-old southeast Queensland man was fatally injured working underground overnight, bringing the state’s mining death toll to seven in the past 18 months.

A PERSON has died at a coal mine in central Queensland overnight – the seventh mining fatality in 18 months.

The employee, a 57-year-old man from Ipswich, was working underground at the Carborough Downs mine site when they were fatally injured just before midnight.

Police and relevant authorities have been noticed and investigations have started into the cause of the incident.

The mining inspector is also on site.

The person was killed while working underground at the mine. FILE PICTURE

All operations on the site, which produces metallurgical coal, have been suspended until further notice.

The mine is located in the Bowen Basin, approximately 20 kilometres east of Moranbah and 180 kilometres southwest of Mackay.

Fitzroy Australia Resources CEO Grant Polwarth said the employee’s family had been notified with the company’s primary focus being on providing the family with all necessary support and assistance.

“We are deeply saddened by this news and Fitzroy extends our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the worker,” a statement said.

It’s the seventh death at a Queensland mine in 18 months and comes after thousands of safety resets earlier this year.

The resets were initiated in July after the sixth fatality in 12 months which saw mining stakeholders, the State Government and unions meet to discuss mine safety.

The Government is currently considering introducing industrial manslaughter to the sector.

Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said his thoughts were with the family, friends and colleagues of the miner.

He said the mines inspectorate would fully investigate fully with an inspector currently on site.

Dr Lynham will be briefed this morning.