Anglo and Mastermyne launch investigations into Gavin Feltwell death at Moranbah North

Bonuses for Anglo American executives to be cut following the miner Gavin Feltwell’s tragic death at the Moranbah North underground mine.

Moranbah North Mine operations remain shut down as multiple investigations unfold following another death at the region’s mines.

Anglo American and contracting partner Mastermyne have committed to separate investigations in the wake of Gavin Feltwell’s death underground last Friday.

Resources Safety and Health Queensland will also investigate the tragedy, the third death in the Bowen Basin in the past seven months.

Mr Feltwell was a contractor with Mastermyne for eight years.

Parent company Metarock said it was “unacceptable” the services operator had lost two workers in the past six months and would probe the incidents.

Graham Dawson was killed in a roof collapse at Sojitz Gregory Crinum coal mine north of Emerald on September 14.

An indepedent expert will work with Mastermyne as it conducts an investigation into the Moranbah North incident.

It will also conduct an ‘organisational review’ of its Mastermyne and PYBAR operating divisions.’

Metarock managing director Tony Caruso said the review would help the company understand where it needed to improve its safety systems.

“We have operated for over 25 years without a loss of life on our projects and to have two fatalities in a short space of time is unacceptable,” Mr Caruso said.

Metarock’s Tony Caruso Picture: Fiona Kroll

“We will undertake a thorough independent review of our safety systems and practices across the organisation to understand where we can improve our systems and approach, to further reduce the risks of serious safety ­incidents.”

Metarock, in a March 28 ASX statement, said it would implement any recommendations or improvements from the review.

Anglo American has committed to working with authorities to determine how the latest tragedy at one of its operations occurred.

Anglo American Moranbah North mine. Picture Tara Miko

It was understood Anglo’s investigation had begun and would incorporate internal and external experts.

The global mining giant, which has an Elimination of Fatalities policy that reduces executives’ bonuses in the event of mine site deaths, said Moranbah North operations were stopped as the investigation got under way.

“All management level employees across the global organisation, including executive directors, continue to have an element of their annual bonus linked to the achievement of deliverables in the Elimination of Fatalities workstream,” the company stated in its 2021 annual report.

Executive bonuses were reduced 3.5 per cent in 2021 following a fatality at an Anglo operation in Peru, the report stated.

Anglo American metallurgical coal business chief executive Tyler Mitchelson.

It is understood the policy also applies to Moranbah North.

Anglo American CEO Tyler Mitchelson, on Saturday, said the company’s thoughts were with the worker’s family and friends.

Councillor Kelly Vea Vea (standing right) speaks to the gathered crowd at the Moranbah Miners' Memorial before marking one minute's silence in memory of Moranbah North miner Gavin Feltwell. Picture: Duncan Evans

He said Stop for Safety sessions had begun and would be held across all Anglo operations through rolling stoppages.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to our first responders at Moranbah North, who have done an incredible job in a difficult situation, as well as local emergency services,” Mr Mitchelson said.

“We have ceased mining activities at Moranbah North and will undertake a full investigation with relevant authorities, so we can understand how this incident occurred.”

It is the third death in seven months in the Bowen Basin.

In November 2021, Clark Peadon died at the Curragh mine near Blackwater after he was crushed by a dragline.

Originally published as Anglo and Mastermyne launch investigations into Gavin Feltwell death at Moranbah North