Coronado Curragh discharged in Donald Rabbitt death case as contractor Thiess Ptd Ltd proceeds to trial

A Queensland mining company has had its court proceedings dropped after a worker’s death at their site, while the case against a contractor continues to head for trial.

Goondiwindi man Donald Rabbitt was killed at Blackwater's Curragh mine on January 12, 2020.

A Queensland mining company has been discharged from court proceedings after a worker died at their site.

But proceedings against a contractor are still on track to go to trial.

Donald Rabbitt, 33, died while working at Curragh Mine, about 11km north of Blackwater, on January 12, 2020.

The Goondiwindi tyre fitter became trapped under a piece of heavy machinery and suffered critical injuries before dying at the scene.

Operator Coronado Curragh Pty Ltd was charged the following year with failing to ensure the risk to coal mine workers was at an acceptable level.

Contractor Thiess Pty Ltd was also charged with failing to ensure that the safety and health of others was not adversely affected by the way the contractor undertook work at the mine.

The site senior executive was also charged in relation to the incident, but that charge was later dropped.

On July 15, 2024, proceedings against Coronado Curragh were discontinued.

Prosecutor Stipe Drinovac told the Brisbane Magistrates’ Court that the prosecution formally offered no evidence against Coronado Curragh.

But the court heard proceedings would continue against Thiess Ptd Ltd.

The contractor faced the court on the same date charged with failing to discharge health and safety obligations (causing death or grievous bodily harm).

Mr Drinovac said the prosecution intended to “amend the complaint” and proceed to a pre-trial hearing, before a trial in September.

The matter was adjourned to Friday, July 19, for mention.

Coronado Curragh was formally discharged.