‘Devastating loss’: Underground miner killed, another injured in WA’s Goldfields

The death of an underground miner in Western Australia’s Goldfields region has been described as a “devastating loss”.

An investigation has been launched into the incident. Picture: Gold Fields

An underground miner has been killed and another person injured in Western Australia’s Goldfields region.

South African mining giant Gold Fields confirmed a contractor died at St Ives, near Kambalda, on Tuesday afternoon.

A second contractor also suffered minor injuries.

Gold Fields Australasia executive vice president Stuart Mathews said the worker’s death was a “devastating loss” and all mining activity at the site had been suspended.

The worker was killed at the St Ives site. Picture: Gold Fields

“On behalf of our Gold Fields’ team, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and work colleagues of our business partner employee who has passed away,” he said in a statement.

“It is a devastating loss for our close-knit team, especially our underground crew who have a unique camaraderie.”

The company has launched an investigation into the incident and is working with WA authorities.

The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety was told about the incident on Tuesday.

WorkSafe mines safety inspectors and WA Police have gone to the site to investigate.

A second person was also injured at the site. Picture: Gold Fields

According to the mining company’s website, St Ives has four underground areas and seven open pits.

Gold Fields also operates the Agnew, Gruyere and Granny Smith mines in the region.

The incident comes after David Armstrong, 25, died at Fortescue Metals Group’s Solomon Hub operations in the Pilbara region in September last year when there was a ground collapse.

A couple of weeks earlier, a 52-year-old man fell to his death at CITIC Pacific Mining’s Sino Iron mine, about 100km south of Karratha.