Biggest Queensland mining stories of 2024: Deaths, buyouts, a fire, and a hefty fine
Four deaths, buyouts, collapses, a fire, and a hefty fine. It’s been big year for mining and Queensland sites are on notice after a concerning pattern of incidents.
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The past twelve months have been challenging for the regions mining industry leaving behind serious and sometimes fatal accidents, controversy, legal matters, and voluntary administrations.
Resources Safety and Health Queensland has put Queensland sites on notice, issuing safety alerts in relation to line of fire and exclusions zone “failings” that resulted in three out of the four mine fatalities in 2024 and have revealed that hazards and risks to individuals were not being identified.
These are the stories that rocked the Mackay and Whitsundays mining industries in 2024.
Young coal mine worker killed in vehicle incident in central Queensland
Australia’s mining community was devastated after a vehicle accident at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s Saraji South coal mine in Bowen Basin, which took the life of a 27 year old Mackay man.
On 15 January, emergency services were called to the mine after reports a man had been pinned between a fuel truck and a mining ute.
Luke O’Brien suffered fatal crush injuries in the incident.
Friends and family remembered Luke as a “gentle soul” with a willingness to help anyone who needed it.
Mining and Energy Union district president Mitch Hughes said the entire mining community was “shocked and saddened” by the incident.
“This is the worst news we can ever receive,” he said.
“We are devastated that a coal miner is not returning home at the end of their shift. Our hearts go out to friends and family.”
FULL STORY HERE
Residents in Whitsundays village of Dittmer say ‘no’ to Ballymore mining lease
Residents of Dittmer worried they would pay the price if its historic gold mine were to return.
Ballymore Resources, a mining company set up in 2019 pushed for the reopening of the mine, confident that they had unearthed rich veins of previously undiscovered gold.
Residents however were concerned that the noise and environmental impact were simply too much for the small town.
Ballymore Technical Director David A-Izzeddin responded to concerns saying they were committed to continuing to work with the state and federal government agencies, local regional councils and community members to ensure they earn the trust of all stakeholders and maximise the benefits for the region.
“Ballymore takes its environmental obligations seriously and has always complied with the legislative requirements of its exploration activities which are currently considered early stage and are focused on a historic underground mine,” he said.
FULL STORY HERE
Anglo American Grosvenor Mine evacuates after reported explosion, fire
The future of one of the major Bowen Basin coal mines was uncertain following an underground fire at Anglo American’s Grosvenor Mine.
A methane ignition incident occurred on the morning of 29 June and surrounded Moranbah in thick plumes of smoke.
All employees were removed from the site and no one was injured in the incident.
There were concern that the mine would not be reopened for years as Anglo American began work to temporarily seal the mine in order to stop the smoke.
“We will continue to engage with our people and key stakeholders and work with RSHQ to understand the next steps with a view to implementing a safe restart and continued safe operation, at the appropriate time,” said an Anglo American spokesperson.
This was the second significant fire in less than five years at the mine, leaving local residents feeling dejavu.
About three weeks after the fire it was confirmed by Anglo American’s London CEO Duncan Wanblad that gas, temperature, and drone monitoring suggested that the fire was extinguished.
In September Mr Wanblan told the FT Summit that the most recent assessments showed the damage had been “limited” and described the assessment as “encouraging”.
“The ore bodies seem to be very much intact; the damage isn’t anywhere near as extensive as we might have feared,” he said.
FULL STORY HERE
Anglo sells steelmaking coal mines to Peabody Energy
After rumours of cutting its workforce in advance of a sale, Anglo’s Grosvenor mine fire complicated its efforts to offload its steelmaking coal assets and focus on copper and iron ore instead.
But US-based Peabody Energy emerged as the winner of the buyout, spending as much as $5.7bn to acquire an 88 per cent interest in Moranbah North; 70 per cent of Capcoal; 86.36 per cent of Roper Creek; 51 per cent of Dawson, Dawson South, Dawson South Exploration and Theodore South, and a 50 per cent interest in Moranbah South.
But US$450m of the sale price is contingent on the return of Grosvenor.
Under the deal, Peabody would need to pay Anglo US$250m one month after it reopens, and US$200m on the second anniversary of the opening.
FULL STORY HERE
Stanmore shuts down Mavis Underground coal mine in Bowen Basin, calling it ‘uneconomic’
The Mavis Underground project at the Millenium mining complex was closed in late June with Stanmore stating they would work with their contractor to facilitate discussions regarding reallocation of workers.
A Stanmore spokesperson said that the difficult decision to close the mine came after a strategic review found the project to be uneconomic.
“Mavis Underground was always anticipated to be a small and opportunistic short-life project,” they said.
Affected workers said they were ‘shocked’ when the closure was announced and that almost everyone involved at the mine was blindsided.
The MEU criticised the decision to close the mine, seeing ‘no reason’ to do that.
“If they don’t want the asset, then they should step aside for someone else who may want to take over,” an MEU spokesperson wrote.
Former regional mayor and ALP candidate for Burdekin Anne said she would have been interested to understand the thinking behind a hard close.
“I’m bemused that it’s a hard closure and not a care and maintenance model implemented or a non sell model,” Mrs Baker said.
FULL STORY HERE
Chris Schloss mourned as well-loved member of QCoal, Byerwen after mine camp death
A beloved father of five was killed in a crane accident near Byerwen Mine, devastating the community.
On 3 August, emergency services were called to the scene on Wollombi Rd following reports a 48 year old man had been struck by a crane.
The incident took place at QCoal workers’ accommodation camp at Suttor.
A QCoal spokesman said the man was a “long-serving, senior and well-loved” member of the mining fraternity and that the death had shocked the entire organisation while 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.”
FULL STORY HERE
Byerwen mine shut after Bundaberg man John Linwood, 56, dies in truck crash tragedy
Byerwen mine was left reeling after its second fatality within three weeks.
56 year old John Linwood had been driving a light vehicle when it and a large haul truck collided, tragically killing John.
John was a Macmahon contractor with a drilling background.
Macmahon’s managing director and chief executive officer Michael Finnegan said this was a tragic and sad incident which has impacted the whole team.
“We continue to support our people, especially friends and family of our deceased colleague, as well as the dump truck operator,” he said.
Mining and Energy Union general vice president Steve Smyth called for the mine to be shut down until the investigation was complete and any underlying issues linked to safety were resolved.
“It’s absolutely tragic, but also makes you angry at the same time that in the space of three weeks we’ve had another event at the same coal mine,” he said.
“We’re at a loss.”
FULL STORY HERE
Paramedics called to reported crush injuries at Broadmeadow mine, Moranbah
Emergency crews were called to BMA’s Broadmeadow mine on 14 August, following reports of a crush injury.
A BMA spokesman said the worker had been underground when he was impacted by an object.
A 32 year old was taken to Moranbah Hospital in a serious but stable condition following the incident before being flown to Mackay Base Hospital.
Operations at the mine were suspended and it was confirmed by Resources Safety and Health Queensland that investigators would attend the site.
FULL STORY HERE
Ethan Avenell suffers broken ankle, broken arm after Moorvale mine crush incident in Coppabella
A young man was lucky to be alive after being crushed under a falling piece of a mine truck wheel.
18 year old Moorvale tyre fitter, Ethan Avenell, was left with a broken ankle, two breaks in his arm and a gash to the back of his head following the scary incident, saying he ‘got lucky’.
A spokesman from Peabody, the operator of the Moorvale mine, said the teen sustained the injuries while changing a tyre.
The beat seat band that hit Ethan was around 200kg, said Ethan, but mine truck tyres can weigh tons.
Ethan was in good spirits though, making his way home as quickly as he could despite staff wanting to keep him a bit longer.
“They wanted to hold me for 2-3 days but I hate hospitals so I fought to get out,” Ethan said.
FULL STORY HERE
Mining and Energy Union fined over actions during strike at Oakey Creek North mine
In September the Mining and Energy Union and its officials, including a high-profile CFMEU figure, was fined over $650,000 after its officials hurled aggressive abuse at strikebreaking workers during a 200-day lockout at Oaky Creek North underground coal mine.
In his judgment Justice Darryl Rangiah said the conduct of the union and its officials were ‘designed to intimidate’ workers.
Examples of abuse hurled at strike-breaking workers included Mr Hynes saying “hit a tree you maggot c***”, Mr Smyth saying “f***ing scab”, and Mr Ingham yelling ”you’re a f***ing maggot”.
Justice Rangiah found the union breached the Fair Work Act 190 times, while the five union officials between them breached the Act 300 times.
The CFMEU staged protests near the entrance of the mine site for about seven months before an enterprise agreement was finally settled in March 2018.
FULL STORY HERE
One dead, one seriously injured in Oaky Creek Coal Mine accident
Two men were carrying out maintenance works involving a conveyor belt at Glencore’s Oaky Creek Coal Mine on October 2 when a cable snapped and struck both men.
Tragically, Frank Thomas was killed in the incident while the other man, aged in his 20s was flown to Rockhampton hospital by rescue helicopter with life-threatening injuries, including a head injury and multiple fractures.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to both workers’ families, friends and colleagues”, said Ian Cribb, CEO of Glencore’s coal business in Australia.
“This is devastating for our entire Oaky Creek workforce, and we are providing support services and counselling.”
As a result of the incident operations at the mine were temporarily suspended.
FULL STORY HERE
Stanmore Resources contracts Golding Contractors for South Walker Creek mine
In October it was announced that Golding Contractors would undertake the coal mining operations at Stanmore Resources’ South Walker Creek site, previously owned by BHP, setting up for 650 jobs in the region.
Golding Contractors who are owned by NRW Group, currently operate at the Baralaba North Mine, Kogan Creek Mine, Curragh Coal Mine and Stanmore’s Isaac Plains coal mine.
The five-year $1.6bn contract covers pre-strip, coal mining operations and operating eight fleets of heavy mining equipment, starting January 1, 2026.
FULL STORY HERE
Civil infrastructure, energy company One Key Resources appoints insolvency experts
One Key Resources Group appointed four corporate insolvency specialists as administrators after being placed into voluntary administration on October 28.
Administrators Hall Chadwick said the purpose of the appointment was to allow independent insolvency practitioners to take control of One Key Resources during which “creditors’ claims are put on hold”.
“The Administrators and their staff are available to discuss the continued operations and assist with any queries from stakeholders including creditors and employees.”
FULL STORY HERE
Plibersek’s office to ‘consider’ letter claiming mine risks koala future
Koalas and greater gliders are claimed to be at risk from Qld’s newest coal mine in new drone footage, as an environmental group urgently calls on the federal government to add more protections.
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