Queensland’s head mining body has made it quite clear there is likely to be an increase in the number of mining deaths this financial year, even though the safety record of the Australian mining industry is showing significant signs of improvement.

Queensland Resources Council chief Michael Roche said there was a rise in mining fatalities this financial year which was highlighted further when a man was killed when a tyre exploded at a Dawson coal mine in the Bowen Basin this week.

“I am sick and tired of hearing about fatalities involving tyre explosions,” Mr Roche said.

“I’ve been in this job for 10 years. The first such experience was in 2006, I just can’t believe that it continues to happen.”

Mr Roche said he had high hopes of getting all of the top bosses in one room to discuss the state of safety awareness in the mining sector and what initiatives are needed to stop the senseless loss of life.

He spoke to media following a forum with the new Queensland Palaszczuk Government at Parliament House.

Mining chief upbeat about more mining jobs in the Galilee Basin

Roche�also made mention of the fact he was not phased about the current talk of the future development of the Galilee Basin or 100per cent FIFO mines in Queensland.

Throughout the Queensland election campaign, Labor said it wholly supported Galilee Basin projects like the $16 billion Adani Carmichael mine, however in the same breath they muttered they would not spend taxpayer money on the proposed new 360 kilometre, $2 billion railway link connecting the Galilee to Abbot Point.

Contracts have already been placed with Korean company POSCO to build the railway and Adani remain steadfast in its resolve to build the mine no matter what.

Mr Roche said the Queensland Resource Council would start talks with the new government to find new solutions to support Galilee Basin projects, such as capital investment through international connections.

The QRC said it was not alarmed at Labor’s position on 100 per cent FIFO mines. He went on to say they fully understood the fledgling Queensland government’s intention behind their FIFO stance was to stimulate mining jobs for local workers and to provide additional business opportunities for communities adjacent to the mines.

Mr Roche said he made his opinions known during the election campaign because he was genuinely concerned about potential changes to approval conditions around mining project development.

Mining safety induction – a step closer to lowering fatalities in Queensland

The Queensland government has in place a comprehensive mining safety program to keep its workers safe from harm,yest despite this, we are still seeing people lose their lives on mine sites in the state. Legislation in Queensland prevents any person from being employed on a mine site or quarry unless they hold the Standard 11 mining induction qualification.

This is a national qualification, yet is only accepted in Queensland as a pre-requisite to employment being granted. With this training course being valid for 5 years from the initial induction and refresher courses being offered, why then are workers still losing their lives in the industry?

We all need to work together to raise awareness of the dangers mining presents to everyone working on-site.