Management Incompetence and Inadequate Oversight by Mines Department. Is it killing the Underground Coal Industry in Queensland?

The Coal Mining Industry and Queensland Public await the seemingly inevitable further bad news to come from Moranbah North Mine.

The question has to be asked is Underground Coal Mining in Queensland being destroyed by those who are supposed to be ensuring its safe operation?

How does a new Mine like Grosvenor have this said about it in 2016 from an Audit by the Mines Inspectors of the on the  Ventilation Standards at Grosvenor Mine, and yet has a methane explosion on the Longwall face critically burning five men in 2020.

The Mine is relatively uncomplicated at present but it is anticipated that the future will present more challenging conditions especially in regard to working temperatures and effective pre-drainage of methane from Goonyella Middle seam and surrounding strata.

Post the explosion there is a multi- party investigation (including Mines Department) of the Longwall area that lasts nearly a month.

With all these people down the Mine every day, forensically examining the Longwall, how did both the Management and Mines Inspectors allow an out of control heating to occur that had to be remotely sealed from the surface?

This is after the fiasco of North Goonyella.

For Moranbah North to now be facing the same situation strikes at the very notion that we can safely Mine Coal in thick seams.

It is beyond time that the Mines Department and the Minister come out of hiding.

Release the Report on North Goonyella.

The whole credibility of the Sector is at stake safety wise.

The way things are going it will not be the Environmental Movement and Zero net carbon emissions that lead to the end of Underground Coal Mining in Queensland.

Incompetence at all levels and Secrecy will