WorkSafe lays 38 charges over 2019 death of Bootu Creek mine worker Craig Butler

Bootu Creek mine operator OM (Manganese) Ltd and its chief operating officer have been charged with a total of 38 offences over the death of a superintendent in 2019.

• Miner calls Bootu Creek the most dangerous he’s worked at
• Mining to restart at Bootu Creek Mine four months after worker Craig Butler was killed

BOOTU Creek mine operator OM (Manganese) Ltd and its chief operating officer Trevor Cook have been charged with a total of 38 offences over the death of 59-year-old superintendent Craig Butler in 2019.

In a statement, NT WorkSafe said Mr Butler was killed after being buried alive when a section of wall gave way at the remote mine site 130km north of Tennant Creek.

“In August 2019, the mine superintendent entered the open cut pit, known as Tourag Pit, after four workers, who had entered the pit, reported seeing sediment slipping from the wall earlier that day,” the statement said.

Craig Butler passed away after a wall collapsed at a Territory mine site.

“Throughout the course of the day, nine workers entered the pit to carry out their duties.”

NT WorkSafe said Mr Butler was inspecting the wall when it gave way while two other nearby workers managed to escape without injury.

OM (Manganese) is facing a total of 24 charges under the Work Health and Safety Act including reckless conduct and failing to ensure the health and safety of its workers.

Mr Cook is facing seven counts each of reckless conduct and failing in his duty to take reasonable care not to affect the health and safety of others.

The mine operator faces a combined maximum penalty of $35 million in fines while Cook faces a combined maximum of $2.1 million in fines and up to five years in prison.

Both are due to face the Darwin Local Court on October 12.

Follow @jas_walls