Miner remains in critical condition after serious burns at Mount Isa Mines

The cause of serious burns that left a mine worker critical near Mount Isa yesterday has been revealed, with sources close to the situation blaming lax safety standards.

Mount Isa Mines. Infrastructure Mount Isa, MIM Urquhart Shaft

One mine worker remains in critical condition following a horrifying workplace incident on Thursday near Mount Isa, but sources within the mine say not enough is being done to prevent further incidents.

It’s understood the two workers were working within the Mount Isa Mines copper smelter, owned and operated by Glencore, when they were injured by a steam vent discharging.

A Resources Health and Safety Queensland spokeswoman confirmed the regulatory body was investigating after being made aware of what had transpired.

“At 4:30pm on Thursday 25 April 2024 at a copper smelter in Mount Isa, two contractor workers were seriously burnt when a steam vent opened that was adjacent to where they were working,” the spokeswoman said.

“Both workers were taken to hospital.

“A Resources Safety and Health Queensland inspector travelled to the site and issued a directive to isolate the scene.

“An investigation is underway.”

Mount Isa Mines InfrastructureMount Isa, Copper Smelter

Both men, a 25 and 26 year-old, were transported via the Royal Flying Doctors to Royal Brisbane Hospital with burns to more than 50 per-cent of their bodies.
A source within the mine - who spoke on condition of anonymity - at the time the incident transpired said the area in which the workers had been operating had recently been involved in another dangerous situation.

“We got an alert on Monday that over the weekend the doors on the copper smelter where all the slag is stored inside had popped open uncontrollably and the slag had hit the ground,” The source said.

“It’s like dropping pasta sauce in the kitchen, it splashes everywhere. They’re lucky no one got hurt.

On 18 October 2023, Glencore announced significant changes to our Queensland Metals business., , After 60 years of copper mining and a six-year extension beyond its original expected life of mine, the Mount Isa Mines underground copper operations (Enterprise, X41 and Black Rock) and copper concentrator will close in the second half of 2025. Picture Glencore

“Some of the guys who worked in the smelter won’t do it anymore due to safety. It’s been an ongoing issue for a long time.”

The source said that while the site was briefly put into lockdown by management, workers were soon back to work across the Mount Isa Mines.

“If you turned up at 7pm, you wouldn’t know anything happened.

“This place is all about tonnage, not safety. I’m surprised no one’s been killed yet.”

In a statement provided to the Townsville Bulletin, a spokeswoman for said they were working with the regulator to understand how the incident had occurred.

“Mount Isa Mines continues to work with Resources Safety and Health Queensland to understand the events leading up to the incident,” The spokeswoman said.

“Our immediate focus is on providing support to the injured workers and all those affected. “Our thoughts are with their family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult period.

“The safety and health of our people is our priority.

“Mount Isa Mines will temporarily suspend our surface operations for the next 24 hours to discuss and reflect on this incident and to reinforce our commitment to safe production.”

Resources and Critical Minerals Minister and Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the incident would be fully investigated.

“My thoughts are with the workers and their families at what’s obviously a very difficult time.

“I know the independent health and safety regulator Resources Safety and Health Queensland has already had people on site and is investigating.

“I expect there to be a full and thorough investigation into this incident

“Workers safety is paramount for a Labor Government. The entire resources industry has a responsibility to ensure their workers remain safe.”

AWU Queensland Secretary Stacey Schinnerl voiced their concerns surrounding the incident in a statement to media on Friday.

“We are very concerned by the incident at Glencore’s copper smelter in Mount Isa,” said Ms Schinnerl.

“Our officials are in constant contact with our members, the company and the inspectorate as this investigation begins to take place.

“Every worker deserves to come home safe, and these two workers tragically have not.

“Tough questions need to be asked about how an incident like this has occurred.

“Out of respect for the workers involved, their families, workmates and their friends, we will not be making further comment until we receive reports from the inspectorate.”

Glencore was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Miner remains in critical condition after serious burns at Mount Isa Mines