Sentencing of Unity Mining over Cameron Goss’ death at Henty Gold Mine adjourned to March 6

The family of a man who died while working in a Tasmanian mine will have to wait longer for the sentencing of the operator, who pleaded guilty. The details.

Cameron Goss, who died while working at Henty Gold Mine in 2020. Picture: Supplied.

The sentencing of a mining company that pleaded guilty to failing to comply with health and safety laws in relation to the death of a worker on the West Coast in January 2020 has been delayed.

Unity Mining, which owned Henty Gold Mine until 2021, has been charged with failing to comply with health and safety duty category 2 over the death of bogger operator Cameron Goss.

Mr Goss was reported missing on January 23, 2020, after the machine he operated fell down a 15-metre crevasse at the gold mine when the ground underneath collapsed.

It took crews three weeks to retrieve his body.

Unity Mining was meant to be sentenced over Mr Goss’ death on Monday at the Burnie Magistrate Court, but the matter has been adjourned to March 6.

Henty Gold Mine. PICTURE GRANT WELLS

The reason for the adjournment is to allow defence lawyers to read Crown papers and take further instructions.

Mr Goss’ family was in attendance at the court on Monday.

Sentencing was initially meant to occur on December 18 but also had to be adjourned because there were no representatives from Unity Mining at the court.

On Monday, defence lawyer Justin Zeeman apologised to the court and Mr Goss’ family for the previous adjournment.

“In no way whatsoever did Unity intend for the delay,” Mr Zeeman said.

“The position of Unity is that it is waiting on Crown papers, but it doesn’t intend to see a lengthy adjournment.”

Court documents showed that Mr Goss had died from blunt trauma to the chest.

In the documents, prosecutors said the 1880 HW1 drive he was operating was unstable.

“The defendant failed to ensure the health and safety of Mr Goss and ensure plant and structures were safe and the hazard below the drive and if it might collapse.”

Mr Goss was employed by contractor Pybar Mining Services at the time of his death.