Newmont’s Tanami gold mine: Construction worker, 47, killed prompting workplace safety investigations
A winch failure has been flagged as a contributing factor in the death of a worker at a construction site at an outback gold mine.
A worker has died at a construction site at an outback gold mine after a suspected winch failure, sparking police and workplace safety investigations.
Emergency authorities were notified of the 47-year-old’s workplace death at the Newmont company mine, in the Tanami desert about 540km northwest of Alice Springs, on Wednesday afternoon.
Police attended and a crime scene was established, with members of the Coronial Investigation Unit and Crime Scene Examination Unit attending the site on Thursday.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.NT WorkSafe said in a statement it was investigating the death, with initial inquiries indicating a potential failure of a winch during a lift had been a contributing factor.
All operations have been suspended at the mine, which employs about 1800 fly-in, fly-out workers.
Newmont confirmed the death in a statement on Thursday, saying “our thoughts are with the individual’s family, friends and colleagues during this very difficult time”.
The company said it would fully assist the investigations into the man’s death.
