3D imaging shows loader covered in debris as rescue mission becomes recovery mission
Dangerous conditions underground hamper operations to recover the body of the miner presumed dead from a rock and earth fall.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATED 3.30PM: A MISSION to recover the body of miner presumed dead in the Henty Gold Mine is not expected to begin until next week because of the current dangers involved in sending people underground.
What was a rescue mission became a recovery operation yesterday after three-dimensional drone technology showed the machine the miner, missing since 4am on Thursday, was operating at the time buried in rocks.
The loader driver was 700m underground and almost at the end of his 12-hour shift when colleagues lost contact with him and discovered a section of collapsed earth.
PYBAR Mining Services CEO Brendan Rouse said a drone with three-dimenensional technology had collected images showing the loader covered in debris and its cabin, in which the miner would have been sitting, crushed.
EARLIER: A RESCUE mission has become a recovery operation at a Tasmanian mine after drone technology showed the missing miner was operating is in a hole covered in rocks.
PYBAR Mining Services CEO Brendan Rouse said a drone with three-dimenensional technology had collected images showing the loader covered in debris and the cabin in which the worker would have been crushed at Henty Gold Mine in the state’s northwest.
READ YESTERDAY’S COVERAGE OF THE SAD EVENTS
“The whole team is devastated,” Mr Rouse said from the mine this morning.
“It is not safe to put people down there so operations will continue remotely. There was still material falling in the mine last night so it may have gotten worse. The void will be measured again and operations reassessed to see how we proceed.”
“We’ll come up with a plan of how we’re going to do it, but it won’t involve putting people into the unsafe area.”
Tasmania Police said early yesterday the miner was likely to be found deceased.
“The amount of earth and rock and the situation that presents tells us that it is highly unlikely he could have survived,” Inspector Shane Le Fevre said.
“Our thoughts go to the family and friends of the man and the whole community.
“We also thank the rescuers many of whom know the missing miner.”
Australian Workers’ Union representatives are in Queenstown to support the other 120 workers at Henty.
AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said it would likely weeks before the mans body was recovered.
“This is a very sad day now the operation has transistioned from rescue to recovery.
“Other miners are now left to wonder what happened to their work mate as what condition he is in.
Mr Walton said mining had been the backbone of Queenstown for a long time and the incident yesterday was a reminder of how hazardous the industry could be.
“We don’t expect the recovery to be fast it won’t be hours or even days.
“The company has spared no expense getting the specialist equipment needed and nearby mines has offered assistance and resources.”
Mr Walton urged workmates to come forward if they needed help coping while they waited for more news.
“Mining communities stick together and there is no shame asking for help at times like these.”
Premier Peter Gutwein has expressed his deepest sympathies for the family of the mine worker.
“The Tasmanian Government will continue to provide all necessary support and resources required to ensure the search operation at Henty Gold Mine can be conducted safely,” he said.
“Our thoughts during this time remain with the worker’s family and friends, co-workers, and the entire West Coast community.”
Labor Party Leader Rebecca White expressed her sorrow at the news the miner, who is yet to be named, has not survived.
“I am deeply saddened to hear the news coming out of the Henty Gold Mine this morning,” she said.
“Tasmanians will be devastated to learn that rescuers believe the mine worker has not survived.
“My thoughts, and the thoughts of the Labor Party, are with the family of the missing man, his fellow workers at the Henty Gold Mine and the community of Tasmania’s West Coast.”
helen.kempton@news.com.au
O’Byrne pulls plug on support for Ferguson, says Premier must act
The survival of key Liberal Michael Ferguson hangs by a thread after key independent David O’Byrne declared he had lost confidence in the beleaguered Treasurer and Deputy Premier. What Mr O’Byrne said >>
World-leading program which has reduced dementia risk by 25%
A five-year dementia study run out of UTAS is showing drops of 25 per cent in the dementia risk of its study participants. Here is what they are doing to stay healthier for longer.