Calls for sweeping review after another mining death

A mine worker has been killed and another seriously injured at Oaky Creek Coal. (AAP PHOTOS)

Calls for an industry-wide review have been sparked by a worker's death in central Queensland, the latest in a string of mining fatalities.

Operations have been suspended at the Oaky Creek coal mine amid an investigation into a machinery incident that left one man dead and another seriously injured.

It marked central Queensland's fourth mining fatality this year and third in just months, prompting a union outcry and a demand from Premier Steven Miles for companies to better care for workers.

"This is an awful tragedy ... too many mine workers have died this year," Mr Miles told reporters on Thursday.

"How often do we need to hear of a worker who's left their family in the morning and died at work?"

The tragedy also comes just months after a man died and another was seriously injured in an underground collapse at Victoria's Ballarat Gold Mine.

Industry regulator Resources Safety and Health Queensland is investigating the latest incident.

Mining and Energy Union said it would push for an industry-wide examination of work practices.

It wanted the probe to focus on practices involving contractors and maintenance tasks "who are sadly over-represented in serious workplace accidents".

"Something in this area of our industry is not working and not protecting our contract coal miners," the union's Queensland district president Mitch Hughes said.

"We need to look broadly at training, supervision, systems and workplace culture."

Mr Miles said the onus was on the mining industry.

"These are big, profitable multinational companies. They need to be taking better care of their workers," he said.

"Nobody should die at work. My heart goes out to the family of this man who's lost his life and those who've been injured as well."

Paramedics were called to the Oaky Creek mine at Tieri, west of Rockhampton, about 4.30pm on Wednesday.

A man in his 30s suffered significant head injuries and died at the scene.

Another man - aged in his 20s - was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening head, arm and leg injuries.

Signage at Rockhampton Hospital (file image)
One miner remains in Rockhampton Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

It was central Queensland's fourth mining fatality of 2024.

Luke O'Brien died in a vehicle incident at the Saraji mine near Dysart in January.

Another two fatalities occurred at the Byerwen coal site at Suttor, west of Mackay, in August.

The fatal incident at Oaky Creek occurred when two employees were carrying out maintenance works, mine operator Glencore said.

"This is devastating for our entire Oaky Creek workforce, and we are providing support services and counselling," the company's Ian Cribb said.

Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli said the death would reverberate throughout the local community.

The Mining and Energy Union's industry safety and health representatives will also investigate the Oaky Creek death.

"We will leave no stone unturned in uncovering what has gone wrong," Mr Hughes said.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store