The worker who died after a gold mine in western Victoria collapsed has been identified.
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Kurt Hourigan, 37, from Bruthen in Victoria's Gippsland region was killed during a rockfall at Ballarat Gold Mine just before 5pm on March 13.
He and another worker were undertaking a manual form of mining called "air legging" under unsupported ground when it collapsed, according to their union.
A Ballarat man, 21, sustained "life-threatening" lower body injuries and is in a critical condition at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
Australian Workers' Union Victoria state secretary Ronnie Hayden said the "absolutely devastating" tragedy should have been avoided.
"They should not have been doing that task in that mine," he told reporters in Ballarat on March 14.
"This form of air legging shouldn't be used to do this type of work ... this form of air legging should be used - if it's ever used at all - to investigate the ground."
Mr Hayden said the union would be pushing for Victoria's industrial manslaughter laws to be used.
"Our members are angry, our organisers are angry," he said.
"Our members have raised concerns about this style of mining. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears."
Twenty-nine other workers at the mine were able to take refuge in a safety pod and were not at risk during the incident, Mr Hayden said.
The mine's owner Victory Minerals said its sympathies and thoughts were with the family of the man.
"Our absolute priority is supporting the wellbeing of our team members and their families and loved ones, as we all come to terms with this tragic news," the statement said.
"One of our other team members who was transported to hospital last night is getting the best care possible."
The collapse happened about 500 metres underground and three kilometres from the mine entrance, police said.
Victoria Police Acting Inspector Lisa MacDougall told reporters on March 14 rescuers "worked tirelessly through the night" to locate the deceased man.
She said while the union understood the man had passed on Wednesday night, police had to wait for Ambulance Victoria to assess the man before making an announcement.
The scene needed to be safe before the assessment could be made and his body was recovered about 6am, Inspector MacDougall said.
Control of the mine has transitioned to WorkSafe which will investigate the incident and police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the news was a terrible tragedy and "every worker should make it home safe".
The Ballarat Gold Mine at Mount Clear produced its first gold in 2011 and produces about 40 to 50,000 ounces of gold per year.
The mine stretches for several kilometres underground including underneath homes in Ballarat's east to the rail line.
Victory Minerals took operational control of the Ballarat Gold Mine in December 2023.
In a statement on March 13 it said the situation was in the control of the authorities.
"We bring significant experience and expertise to the mine," the statement said.
"We are a safety first mine operator and respect the work that underground miners perform every day."
In 2007, 27 miners were trapped almost a kilometre underground for five hours before they were rescued through a ventilation tunnel.
