October 30, 2025
We have been shocked and saddened by the tragedy at Endeavor mine at Cobar this week, which cost two mineworkers their lives.
Our NSW Mine Workers Alliance organisers Todd Ferguson and Daniel Brookman have been on the ground supporting members; and our South Western District ISHR Steve Barrett is attending the site.
Mineworkers Ambrose McMullen and Holly Clarke were killed in an uncontrolled detonation early Tuesday morning, caused by use of explosives in the underground workings. Another injured worker was airlifted from the site.
Police have released the site for investigation by the NSW Resources Regulator. Unlike the coal industry, union check inspectors don’t have legal authority to conduct independent investigations in metalliferous mines. However we will be actively engaging with the regulator, the company and all relevant parties to ensure full transparency of the investigation, the preservation of evidence, and the implementation of any learnings that will improve underground mine safety.
South Western District President Bob Timbs described the event as “a catastrophic failure in the safety systems around the use of explosives.”
He said: “In this day and age, that type of accident just should not have happened… We will do everything in our power, once we’ve dealt with and supported the families and mine workers in the community, to find out what happened and make sure that it never happens again.”
Endeavor mine produces lead, silver and zinc and is operated by Polymetals. The mine recently reopened after a period in care and maintenance.
This tragic loss reverberates not only through the families of the workers, but through the small, tightly-knit Cobar mining community, and across the whole mining industry.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of Ambrose and Holly.
Our collective commitment remains: safety must always come before production. We owe it to every miner, every family, and every community.
