Emergency crews have recovered the body of a coal miner who became trapped following a devastating roof collapse deep underground at a major Queensland mine site.
Tragic Outcome After Overnight Rescue Effort
The worker was inside the Curragh coalmine in central Queensland when the collapse occurred at approximately 3pm on Friday. Initial reports indicated he could have been as far as one kilometre underground at the time of the incident. Specialist emergency teams worked through the night to stabilise the site and reach the trapped individual.
Queensland's acting mines minister, Tony Perrett, confirmed the tragic news on Saturday night. "One worker was safely recovered yesterday, while specialist teams worked through the night to stabilise the site and access the second individual," Perrett stated. "Tragically, that worker could not be saved."
Mine Operations Halted as Investigation Begins
The Curragh mine, located north of Blackwater and roughly 200km west of Rockhampton, is a vast operation. The site spans approximately 256 square kilometres across two separate mines and has been operational since 1983. It is currently owned by Coronado Global Resources, which acquired it in 2018.
In response to the fatality, a Coronado spokesperson confirmed that all underground mining operations at the site have been suspended. The company's chief executive, Douglas Thompson, expressed profound sadness and extended the firm's deepest sympathies to the worker's family and colleagues.
Thompson stated that Coronado is providing support to the contracted mine operator, Mammoth Underground Mine Management, which is now working with authorities to determine the precise cause of the collapse.
Separate Mining Incident Highlights Sector Risks
In a separate and unrelated tragedy, a 58-year-old gold prospector died on Friday afternoon after being struck by falling rocks at a private mine site roughly 300km north of the Curragh operation. The man, who had been working alone with an excavator at a Mount Britton property, suffered fatal leg injuries when a rock face partially collapsed.
Acting Minister Perrett addressed both incidents, calling them "tragic reminders of the risks faced by those who work in our resources sector." He emphasised that every worker deserves to return home safely and stated he expects full and thorough investigations into both events to provide answers and ensure lessons are learned.
