Newmont pledges 'full support' to assist with the investigation
Newmont Corporation has suspended the operations at its Tanami mine site in the Northern Territory following the death of a worker on Wednesday.
The gold mining firm announced the suspension after confirming the employee's death.
"Newmont Corporation is deeply saddened to confirm that a member of our workforce has died following an incident at the Tanami mine site in the Northern Territory, Australia, on Wednesday, February 4," it said in a statement.
"Our thoughts are with the individual's family, friends, and colleagues during this very difficult time."
According to the company, emergency services were immediately activated following the incident and relevant authorities had been notified and were attending the site.
"All activities at the Tanami site have been suspended. Further information will be provided when it is appropriate to do so," it said.
"Safety remains our highest priority, and we are committed to supporting our people."
An 'unacceptable' loss
Meanwhile, the Australian Workers' Union (AWU) said it was "shocked" to hear about the fatality at the mine site.
"The AWU is in shock at news of this fatality," said Stacey Schinnerl, AWU spokesperson and Queensland secretary of the AWU, in a statement.
"This is a tragic reminder that mine sites are dangerous places."
Schinnerl added that such incidents "send shockwaves" through the entire national mining industry.
"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the worker who has tragically lost their life," she said.
"Every worker should be able to go to work confident they will come home safe. This loss is unacceptable."
NT WorkSafe confirmed that an inquiry into the incident is underway, ABC News reported.
"Initial enquiries indicate a potential failure of a winch occurred during a lift as a contributing factor to the incident," it said as quoted by the news outlet.
Newmont, on its part, said it would provide its "full support" to assist with the investigation.
