Union renews safety calls after holiday-period deaths
Coronado Global Resources has suspended production at its Mammoth underground coal mine in Queensland following a fatal roof collapse that killed one worker and seriously injured another on Friday, according to a statement released to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
The incident marks the second death at a Coronado facility within a fortnight, following a fatality at the company’s Lower War Eagle mine in West Virginia on 18 December, according to the Australian Financial Review (AFR).
Investigation underway
Emergency responders located a deceased worker at the Mammoth mine following the roof collapse, Queensland’s acting mines minister Tony Perrett said. One worker was safely recovered, while specialist teams worked through the night to stabilise the site and access the second individual, he said.
“Tragically, that worker could not be saved,” Perrett said.
The worker’s body was found late on Saturday, Perrett said. Resources Safety and Health Queensland has launched an investigation into the incident.
Company response
“Coronado is deeply saddened by this tragic event and extends its deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the worker,” the company said in its ASX statement.
The company said it is providing support to Mammoth Underground Mine Management (Mammoth), the contracted coal mine operator, which is working with relevant authorities to determine the cause of the incident.
Operations at Mammoth remain suspended, while production at the Curragh North and Curragh South open-cut mines has recommenced after being idled for 24 hours, according to the AFR.
Industry concerns
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) extended its condolences after the incidents, with Queensland/NT assistant secretary Mark Raguse describing the losses as deeply distressing.
“While many people were enjoying time with their families over the holidays, two mine workers went to work and never came home,” Raguse said.
“Days like this are a brutal reminder of the risks mine workers face and why safety can never be treated as optional or secondary,” he said.
The union said its immediate focus is supporting affected workers as authorities continue investigating both incidents.
Company challenges
The deaths come as Brisbane-headquartered Coronado faces financial pressures including low coal prices, high royalties, and credit rating downgrades, according to the AFR. The company’s shares have lost 60% of their value over the past year, with debt climbing to almost $1 billion.
Coronado shares fell 16% in early trading on Monday to 30¢, giving the company a market value of about $500 million.
Three workers have been killed at Coronado’s Curragh complex since the company took over operations in 2018, the AFR reported.
