Mining to restart at Bootu Creek Mine four months after worker Craig Butler was killed

MINING is set to restart at Bootu Creek Mine four months after the horrific death of worker Craig Butler

The Bootu Creek pit wall collapse in which an estimated 48,000 or more cubic metres of rock and soil fell. Picture: Department of Primary Industry and Resources

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MINING will recommence at Bootu Creek Mine, under strict conditions, four months after the tragic death of miner Craig Butler.

Mr Butler was killed in a pit wall collapse in August while working at the Tourag Pit.

In-pit mining will not be allowed in the Tourag Pit.

Department of Primary Industries and Resources chief executive Alister Trier said the decision to allow work to recommence was not made lightly.

Mining is set to recommence at Bootu Creek Mine four months after the tragic death of miner Craig Butler, pictured.

“The authorisation has undergone a stringent and thorough process in consultation with NT WorkSafe before satisfying the requirements needed for this work to recommence,” Mr Trier said.

Conditions imposed on the mine include the requirement for an independent engineer to review the design and construction of the pit works as well as the installation of real time monitoring equipment.

It is also a requirement that should NT WorkSafe identify any safety issues, DPIR will be notified.

“Part of this decision-making process included the consideration of current employees at Bootu Creek and their need for certainty regarding their employment, however the safety of employees is of utmost importance and a rigorous process before allowing the recommencement of in-pit works was vital,” Mr Trier said.

CFMEU NT organiser Kane Lowth said mine owner OM Holdings had been cooperating with the union and had agreed to let it continually monitor safety procedures at the site.

He also said union officials had visited the site as recently as several weeks ago and the company had made a number of recommended minor fixes.

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“I’m happy with them at this stage, because they’ve listened to us and given us the undertaking they’ll work with us and have the best safety systems in place,” he said.

“This (mine) is a priority for us, we want to see 140 jobs stay there, but what we won’t be putting up with is unsafe conditions for anybody.”

Mr Butler’s death remains under investigation by the Northern Territory Coroner.