BENGALLA Mine says it has suspended all operations and will cooperate with any investigation after a contract worker undertaking tyre maintenance died at the mine, south west of Muswellbrook, on Saturday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Police said emergency services were called to the mine just before 8pm after reports of an industrial accident.
They found a man, 37, from Scone, dead.
Initial investigations indicate the man was working on a tyre when it fell on him, police said.
A Bengalla company spokesman said operations at the mine had been suspended until further notice.
The NSW Planning and Environment mining division has commenced an investigation into the cause of the man’s death, police said.
In a statement, Bengalla Mining Company offered their sympathies to the family of the man, who they said was working as a “tyre maintainer”.
“Bengalla Mining Company wishes to extend its deepest sympathies and respect to the family of a tyre maintainer who passed away after a tragic accident at Bengalla overnight,” the statement said. “The employee of a contract tyre company was injured during tyre maintenance.
“Bengalla has offered support to workers who may be affected by the tragedy, and will offer support to his family at the appropriate time.
“Bengalla is cooperating as investigations are undertaken with a view to ascertaining how the incident occurred.”
The mine prides itself on safety; the company’s mission statement is to “produce safe, productive, profitable coal”.
Meanwhile, the mining industry will be under the microscope in the Hunter on Monday when the Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources Committee holds a public hearing in Singleton.
