Queensland Coal Mines Inspectorate has released an incident report regarding a highwall failed at a surface mining operation.
The Regulator said that the incident occurred during pre-strip operations, a section of highwall failed resulting in fallen material impacting the undercarriage and counterweight on an electric shovel.
The incident follows the death of miner David Routledge in 2019 after a highwall collapsed at the Middlemount Mine.
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Queensland Coal Mines Inspectorate’s recommendations:
The Qld Mines Inspectorate has made a number of recommendations relating to the latest incident
Site Senior Executives
- Ensure sufficient data from exploration drilling is available that provides for accurate modelling of faults lines etc.
The senior position responsible for mine design within the management structure
- Ensure sufficient geotechnical data for safe pit design and modelling is collected, analysed, interpreted and communicated.
Open Cut Examiners and Supervisors
- Must carry out thorough inspections of pit walls looking for signs of potential strata failures.
Coal mine workers
- Work within design parameters and report any unplanned movement of plant or material
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