Miners hospitalised after gas exposure in Australian coal mine
19 March 2012
Fourteen coal miners were hospitalised after being exposed to coal gas leaks at the Collinsville mine in Northern Queensland in early March. The Queensland Mines Inspectorate is investigating gas levels at the mine, a joint venture between Xstrata, Itochu, and Sumitomo.
A directive was already in place which required the mine operator, Thiess, to review the coal mine's safety system regarding mitigation of gas related accidents and the heating of exposed seams.
Humans cannot smell or see coal gas and exposure can be fatal.
Thiess executive general manager Michael Wright said the operator is working towards monitoring and mitigating gas leaks on site. "The safety of our people is our number one focus. We are working with the mines inspector and leading independent experts to get to the bottom of this issue," he said.
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