As another huge year in the mining and resources industry comes to an end, we have compiled a list of the 10 most popular stories of 2015.
10. Seat belt training recommended after fatal dump truck rollover
The importance of seat belts in mining vehicles was highlighted in a report released by the DMP after a fatal dump truck rollover in November.
The dump truck operator was killed on a Western Australian site while hauling waste rock from an open pit to the waste dump.
“For reasons unknown, the operator failed to negotiate a slight left-hand bend and the truck took a gradual path to the left before colliding with the hard rock windrow,” the significant incident report said.
“Tyre marks indicate that the truck’s front and rear left tyres mounted the windrow, and the dump truck rolled onto its right side. There is no evidence of braking before or at the time the truck mounted the windrow.”
The report listed actions in accordance with the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995, which includes each vehicle used at the mine fitted with seat belts and seat belt anchorage points, and people driving or travelling in a vehicle with a seat belt to fasten it.
9. Thiess awarded $160m BHP contract
In August, Thiess was awarded a 30-month $160 million contract with BHP Billiton Nickel West to undertake operations at the Rocky’s Reward nickel mine in Western Australia.
Thiess will provide turnkey mining services including mine planning, explosives, drill and blast services, overburden and ore mining, and overarching technical support.
8. Court overturns approval of Adani’s megamine
The Federal Government’s approval of Adani’s Carmichael coal mine in central Queensland was overturned in the Federal Court of Australia in August.
Environmental Legal Centre EDO NSW, representing the Mackay Conservation Group, challenged the approval given by the Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt to the $16.5 billion project.
“The decision of the Court to set aside the Carmichael mine’s federal approval was based on a failure by the Minister to have regard to conservation advices for two Federally-listed vulnerable species, the Yakka Skink and Ornamental Snake. This kind of error in the decision making process is legally fatal to the Minister’s decision,” EDO NSW principal solicitor Sue Higginson said, according to a report by EDO.
We released our interactive mine map which displays operating mines in Australia.
6. Water truck engulfed in flames at NSW mine
A safety alert by the NSW Department of Industry’s Resources and Energy division was released after a fire destroyed a Caterpillar 777F water truck at an open-cut coal mine on October 15.
According to the report, the truck was watering a ramp leading to a production area when the operator noticed smoke in the rear-view mirror. The operator began the mine emergency procedure via the two-way radio and continued to drive the vehicle down the ramp to an isolated location.
During this time, the power steering system failed. The operator stopped the truck well clear of the ramp, exited the vehicle and used an emergency stop to shut down the engine, which was engulfed in flames.
The operator was not injured.
5. Glencore to sell Cobar copper mine
In October, Glencore announced the commencement of a process to sell its wholly-owned Cobar copper mine in central western New South Wales.
A statement from the company said the sale is in response to Glencore receiving a number of unsolicited expressions of interest for these mines from various potential buyers.
“This will allow potential buyers to bid to purchase either one or both of the mines and may or may not result in a sale. Glencore will issue an update only in the event a sale is agreed or disclosure is otherwise required,” the statement said.
4. Ridgeway mine death prompts employee monitoring
An investigation into the death of a 28-year-old worker at Cadia Ridgeway gold mine on September 6 recommended regular monitoring of people working alone.
The Mine Safety Investigation Unit report found the father-of-two was alone for more than an hour after receiving fatal injuries when he became trapped between the rear of the mobile plant he was operating and the sidewall of an underground extraction drive.
The report said the worker commenced his shift at 7pm, and was last seen by colleagues at 9pm working alone on a Jacon Maxijet shotcreting machine that had been modified to a water cannon.
His body was found by workers at about 10.15pm. The report outline a number of safety observations and recommended systems to ensure persons working alone are regularly monitored.
3. Investigation report into the double fatality at Austar coal mine released
An investigation report into the deaths of two men at Austar Coal Mine in 2014 was released by the NSW Government in November.
The men, James Mitchell, 49, and Phillip Grant, 35, died on April 15, 2014, when a major rib/sidewall pressure burst occurred in a longwall development roadway at the mine, located near Cessnock in the NSW Coalfields.
At the time of the incident, seven workers were operating a bolter miner, with bolting rigs attached to each side, and shuttle car to develop a gate road for a future longwall panel.
The report said coworkers attempted to rescue the men but the area was deemed unstable. Their bodies were recovered during the following days.
2. Queensland coal industry to boom with Indian demand
India will soon become the number one importer of coal, which will set Queensland up as a premium supplier of its lower emission coal, according to a report released by the International Energy Agency in November.
In its 2015 World Energy Outlook, the IEA observed that an energy transition was underway, but China would remain the largest producer and consumer of coal through to 2040.
“The forecast demand from India comes as no surprise and the report found that India would contribute one quarter of global energy growth to 2040,” QRC chief executive Michael Roche said.
According to the IEA, Australia’s coal exports are set to grow by over one-third, with 45 per cent of the growth being coking coal, which remains an essential ingredient in the making of steel.
1. Widow of FIFO worker speaks out
The widow of a FIFO worker who took his own life before flying back to start his next shift spoke out on social media in September, outraged at the treatment she received from the company her late husband worked for.
Sharon Johnson, sharing her story on Facebook page FIFO Construction Workers 3/1 Forum, began her heart-wrenching post with “Today I will be at my husband’s funeral”.
Anthony Johnson ended his own life the day before flying back to Theiss’ Wheatstone LNG Project in Onslow, Western Australia, where he worked as a boilermaker and leading hand supporting his family.
When Mrs Johnson tried to contact Thiess after the death, her calls went unanswered for eight days. When contact was finally made, she was told she would not receive her husband’s last pay, annual leave or any other entitlements.
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