Moranbah mine death: Mates honour Ray Rogers as works resume

‘His contribution to the local community, particularly his support and involvement in the Moranbah Bowls Club, will no doubt impact many more’

Ray Rogers is being remembered as an avid member of the Moranbah Bowls Club after his unexpected death at Goonyella Riverside on Monday.

Mining operations have resumed as colleagues grapple with the sudden death of a well-respected colleague at a Moranbah mine.

Ray Rogers, better known to many as Cobber, suffered a medical emergency at Goonyella Riverside about 30km north of Moranbah overnight Monday.

He had reported feeling unwell while on shift and was treated by the mine’s Emergency Response Team and paramedics, but died on site.

Mr Rogers was an experienced service technician who had fostered close ties with his adopted Moranbah community, particularly the local bowls club.

His death triggered operations to be put on hold out of respect, as is a tradition in the mining industry, and were gradually resumed throughout the day and into Tuesday night.

Ray Rogers was an avid member of the Moranbah Bowls Club.

However, several Goonyella Riverside workers were frustrated in what they considered the quick resumption of work, with others reporting they walked off site in a show of support for Mr Rogers’ co-workers and his family.

Mine owner BMA worked with supervisors to safely restart operations later during Tuesday and into the nightshift.

Goonyella Riverside general manager Sean Milfull said Mr Rogers’ death would “be widely felt across the site”.

“He was an experienced service technician and highly respected member of the In-Field Response Team,” he said.

“Ray lived in Moranbah and his contribution to the local community, particularly his support and involvement in the Moranbah Bowls Club, will no doubt impact many more of our friends and colleagues in the community.

“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and workmates of Ray at this time.”

Originally published as Moranbah mine death: Mates honour Ray Rogers as works resume