Missing miners confirmed dead after falling into void in rural Queensland zinc mine

Two miners reported missing since Wednesday at a remote Queensland mine site have been confirmed dead.

Two miners reported missing since Wednesday at a remote Queensland mine site have been confirmed dead.

Rescue crews had been searching for two missing miners, Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis, who were trapped 125 metres underground in remote Queensland zinc mine, after the vehicle the pair were driving fell into a void.

Confirming the tragic news, Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell said: “This is a devastating outcome and I want to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Trevor and Dylan, both of whom should have come home safely from work yesterday.”

The pair became trapped after a drilling rig fell about 15m into a void in a stope – a large hole used to extract ore – at the Dugald River mine, 70km northwest of Cloncurry, on Wednesday morning.

Missing Queensland miner Dylan Langridge

Missing Queensland miner Trevor Davis

The rig operator escaped, but unfortunately, the two workers in a vehicle behind the drill fell as the ground gave way.

The mining company Perenti, the parent company of Barminco, which employs the two trapped miners, confirmed that three employees were involved in the incident.

Mr Norwell said “Our immediate and ongoing focus is on providing support to the families, friends and colleagues of Trevor and Dylan.”

“Barminco has been operating at MMG’s Dugald River mine since early 2012 with members of our workforce residing in the local area. This tragic incident is devastating and will have a lasting impact on not only the families and friends of Trevor and Dylan but also on the workforce of Dugald River, the Cloncurry and Mount Isa communities and the entire Perenti workforce.

“The safety of our employees is an absolute priority for Perenti, as it is for the industry more broadly. I am devastated that the families and friends of our two workmates have lost their loved ones. This outcome is simply not acceptable.

Inside the Dugald River mine where the miners are missing. Picture: MMG

“In collaboration with MMG and the relevant authorities in Queensland, we will work to understand the circumstances behind this tragic incident and what additional measures need to be put in place to prevent this type of incident happening again.

“We would like to thank everyone who worked tirelessly under very challenging conditions in the recovery of Trevor and Dylan.

“The rescue operation has now sadly completed. Our primary focus is that of support for the families and colleagues of Trevor and Dylan and in parallel completing a comprehensive investigation.”

The drill operator was rescued and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, but the two other Barminco employees are confirmed dead.

The mayor of Cloncurry Shire, Greg Campbell, expressed to the Courier Mail that the small mining town is experiencing a “high level of concern and anxiety” following the search for the miners.

“Even if the local community did not personally know these two miners, everyone knows someone who works at one of the mines in the shire, so it has certainly hit close to home,” he said.

Mr Campbell emphasised that the incident has highlighted the inherent dangers of underground mining, despite multiple levels of safety measures.

Cloncurry Shire Mayor Greg Campbell says the community is holding on hope. Credit: Supplied.

Mr Norwell earlier said the incident would no doubt impact the close-knit communities nearby.

“Our teams have been operating MMG’s Dugald River mine since 2012 with much of our workforce residing in the local area,” he said.

“I know that a large proportion of the local Cloncurry community either work at the site or know someone who works at the site.”

The Dugald River mine is located in northwest of Queensland. Picture: Supplied

Earlier, a statement from MMG, which owns the mine 70km northwest of Cloncurry, revealed that operations at Dugald River had been “halted while the search is under way”.

“The site’s emergency response team has been activated and is working closely with Barminco and authorities.

“MMG has extended all available resources and support to Barminco and the Dugald River mine.”

Police and emergency ­services were called to the underground zinc mine about 1.05pm.

Member for Traeger Robbie Katter described the incident as a “nightmare”.

“This kind of event is obviously the worst nightmare of any mining group and I know there is a lot of anxiety across the community right now.

Operators say the incident will no doubt impact Cloncurry – where many workers live. Picture: Supplied

“We are praying for a good outcome. My major concern is the wellbeing of these two employees and the task at hand to get them back safely to their families.”

Dugald River mine processes 1.7 million tonnes of ore per annum, with zinc, lead and silver by-products. It employs about 500 workers, with some based locally and others fly in, fly out.

About 90 per cent of its workforce are Australian nationals.

— With NCA Newsire

Originally published as Missing miners confirmed dead after falling into void in rural Queensland zinc mine