Communities ‘rocked’ by deaths of four workers in Queensland mines this year

A worker is dead and another has been seriously injured in central Queensland, marking the state’s third mining fatality in as many months and the fourth this year.

Operations have been suspended at Oaky Creek coal mine at Tieri, west of Rockhampton, amid an investigation into a machinery incident.

Paramedics were called to the site following reports of injuries about 4.30pm on Wednesday.

A man in his 30s suffered significant head injuries, Queensland Ambulance Service said.

Industry regulator Resources Safety and Health Queensland confirmed the man died at the scene.

Another man, aged in his 20s, was airlifted to Rockhampton Hospital with life-threatening head, arm and leg injuries.

It marked the fourth mining fatality in central Queensland this year and third since August.

Luke O’Brien died in a vehicle incident at Saraji mine near Dysart in January.

Another two deaths occurred at the Byerwen coal site at Suttor, west of Mackay, in August.

Among them was Chris Schloss, 48, who was killed in a crane accident just weeks before a fatal collision between a haul truck and light vehicle.

The fatal incident at Oaky Creek occurred when two employees were carrying out maintenance works, mine operator Glencore said.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to both workers’ families, friends and colleagues,” the company’s Australian coal arm chief executive Ian Cribb said.

“This is devastating for our entire Oaky Creek workforce, and we are providing support services and counselling.”

The industry regulator is investigating.

“Too many mine workers have died this year,” Premier Steven Miles told reporters on Thursday.

“My heart goes out to the family of this man who has lost his life and those who have been injured as well.”

Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli said the latest death would be felt throughout the local community.

“Workers deserve to go to work and be safe, and families deserve for workers to go to work and come home in one piece,” he said.

“And increasingly, in Queensland, there has been a series of tragedies that have really rocked those communities.

“When something like this happens, it reverberates throughout the community.”

The Mining and Energy Union said its industry safety and health representatives would investigate the Oaky Creek death.

Queensland district president Mitch Hughes said the death was devastating to workers across the industry still reeling from recent Byerwen fatalities.

“We will leave no stone unturned in uncovering what has gone wrong,” he said.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to families, friends and workmates of the deceased mineworker.”