Australia: Minister issues warning amid mine safety concerns

Australia: Minister issues warning amid mine safety concerns

Concerns have been raised about mine safety in Queensland after allegations some companies are submitting false safety figures to the State Government.

Mines Minister Geoff Wilson has issued a warning to mining companies after spot safety audits last month raised serious concerns at several sites.

He has also ordered an independent review into his department’s Queensland Mines and Quarries Safety Performance and Health Report, after a union questioned the accuracy of statistics involving the number of safety incidents.

On Monday, a 33-year-old man was killed at the Moranbah North coal mine near Mackay, making it the industry’s fourth fatality in the last 10 months.

Mr Wilson says unannounced safety audits will continue at selected mines across the state as nothing is more important than safety.

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