December 20, 2024
The Mining and Energy Union has launched an industry-first investigation into this year’s underground explosion at Grosvenor mine, bringing together union mine safety experts from around Australia and globally.
This is the first Union-led investigation that brings together experts from across jurisdictions in order to gain an understanding of the event’s origins, as well as the points of failure that led to it occurring.
The explosion took place on 29 June, forcing the mine to be evacuated and the entrances to be sealed. While no one was physically injured in this event, it followed the 2020 explosion in the same mine which left four workers in critical condition with third degree burns.
Led by Queensland District ISHR Jason Hill and General Vice President Steve Smyth, the investigation seeks to understand how the explosion was able to take place, including which systems and procedures failed to prevent it from occurring.
Assisting in the investigation were Grosvenor SSHR Julian Barnsdale, South Western District ISHR Stephen Barrett and QLD District Policy and Admin Officer Annika Geraghty. They were joined by United Mine Workers of America Administrator for Health and Safety Josh Roberts, who provided the proceedings with an international perspective.
Throughout the two-week investigation the MEU team analysed a mountain of documentary evidence and data, including gas monitoring data, ventilation readings, inspection reports, risk assessments, hazard management plans, SOPs and trigger action response plans.
The team also visited the surface of Grosvenor, inspecting surface infrastructure and gas drainage, and meeting with workers who were underground at the time of the event. Additionally, the team examined a comparable longwall take-off and seals at the nearby Moranbah North mine.
Steve Smyth said it’s important the Union gets to the bottom of what happened.
“The event itself was a coal mine explosion and had the potential for the catastrophic loss of life,” he said.
“This investigation ensures that the MEU leaves no stone unturned in understanding why this explosion has occurred. We owe it to our members, their families and all underground miners.”
Jason Hill said that while the MEU was experienced in investigating fatal and serious accidents, this was the most extensive investigation conducted by the MEU into a mine explosion.
He said the witnesses interviewed by the team gave great insight and detail into what must have been a terrifying event.
The seam mined by Grosvenor is the Goonyella Middle Seam, also mined by Moranbah North, Broadmeadow and North Goonyella mines which have also experienced explosions, fires and spontaneous combustion across these mines.
“We are very fortunate to have a very experienced and knowledgeable investigation team. It’s our intention to create a final report into this investigation, it is so important to do this before the mine reopens.”
Watch this space for updates.