Curragh mine death: How Central Queensland tragedy unfolded

Preliminary investigations suggest the dragline was stationary when Clark Peadon initially approached the equipment at Curragh mine. Read what led to his death.

Mining investigative bodies have released preliminary details into the tragic death at the Curragh mine.

Clark Peadon was fatally crushed by a dragline at the mine site, about 10km north of Blackwater.

Mr Peadon, from The Caves near Rockhampton, was working at the mine on November 21, 2021 at 12.43am when the incident occurred.

The Resources Safety and Health Queensland issued a mine safety alert with updates on the investigation.

Preliminary investigations have suggested Mr Peadon used the cable tractor while the dragline was stationary.

He either re-entered or remained in the operational swing boundary when it became operational.

Mr Peadon was then struck by the dragline propel shoe, resulting in fatal injuries.

The incident remains under investigation, and investigators will consider issues such as communication between operators and people on the ground, as well as verification of work practices.

Support has been offered to family and colleagues after the death.

All work at the site ceased as police, mine inspectors and union representatives investigated the tragedy.

Curragh mine worker Clark Peadon died on November 21 when he was crushed by a dragline. Picture: Contributed.

Mr Peadon was an experienced dragline operator who had worked at Curragh, now operated by Coronado Global Resources, since 2006.

RSHQ said the incident was a timely reminder mine personnel should ensure effective controls were in place to manage risks relating to moving equipment such as draglines.

This may include:

• ensuring persons undertaking activities are adequately trained in all relevant aspects of the mine’s safety and health management system
• auditing and validating operating procedures on a regular basis
• ensuring the system provides adequate supervision for anyone undertaking work in the vicinity of operational swing boundaries of draglines
• ensuring workers are trained and made aware of the ongoing risks when working in the vicinity of mining equipment when an operator is at the controls
• ensuring workers are trained in the content and application of positive communication procedures
• ensuring supervisors monitor compliance with site positive communication procedures.

CFMEU Mining and Energy Queensland president Stephen Smyth said the union body was not aware of any prior issues raised about the dragline.

CFMEU president Stephen Smyth says there has been ‘a lot of messiness’ across the mining industry over the last six months. Photo: Daryl Wright

“The union has provided support from the time of the incident and will continue to do this,” Mr Smyth said.

“The support is in many ways including legal support, EAP and other required by the family and friends.”

Citadel-MAGNUS founding partner Helen McCombie, for Coronado, said it was too early to say when operations would recommence.

“We will work within the parameters of the investigation and will look to reopen once cleared to do so. We commit to advising the market of updates when available,” Ms McCombie said.

“A full investigation is being conducted into the accident and Coronado is working with the Queensland Police, the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and other authorities.

“The company is focused on supporting the family of the employee and workers at Curragh and counselling services are being made available.”

Ms McCombie said Mr Peadon was a “highly respected member” of the Curragh team.

Clark Peadon (far left) was part of The Caves Rural Fire brigade. Picture: Allan Reinikka / The Morning Bulletin

“Our thoughts are with Clark’s family, friends and co-workers and with everyone impacted by this tragic loss,” she said.

Mr Smyth said there had been “a lot of messiness” across the resources industry in the past six months including a fatality at Sojitz Gregory Crinum mine and a serious crush injury at Coppabella.

Graham Dawson, 60, died after he was trapped under a partial roof collapse about midnight on September 14.

Graham Dawson died in a workplace accident at Gregory Crinum mine near Emerald in September.

He suffered critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

On October 30 a worker at Coppabella suffered life threatening injuries when he was crushed by a tyre as he and three others were conducting a routine wash down of a read dump truck.

Spray from a water cannon had hit an E-Stop on the position two wheel side of the engine bay, shutting the engine down – as a result he entered the space between the wheel and the engine to reset the E-Stop.

It appears neither the truck operator nor other workers were aware of the location of the injured worker.

The truck operator was directed by one of the other workers to turn the front wheels to the left, which resulted in the injured worker being pinned between the tyre and a ladder, causing multiple injuries to his upper body.

“There’s a lot of high potential incidents and a lot of … serious injuries,” Mr Smyth said.

“We’re having a lot of inquiries, having a lot of resets … There’s a lot of (talk) but there’s no follow through.”

Mr Peadon’s death is the second fatality at Curragh mine in the past two years.

On January 12, 2020 Donald Rabbitt, 33, was crushed to death under heavy machinery while working on a float.

Donald Rabbitt was killed while working at Blackwater's Curragh coal mine in January 2020. Picture: Contributed.

“We’ve got an industry where the focus unfortunately is always on production,” Mr Smyth said.

“You’ve got coal prices at record high, a lot of pressure being put on guys and girls to do the job.

“It’s a mess now and I don’t think any safety reset or any inquiry is going to fix it. It’s got to be stern action taken and people held to account.”

Originally published as Curragh mine death: How Central Queensland tragedy unfolded