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Dozens of workers have been stood down or dismissed after the mining watchdog ordered a New South Wales underground coal mine to cease operations after ongoing safety breaches.
Key points:
- The NSW Resources Regulator has stopped work at the Russell Vale underground coal mine because of ongoing safety concerns
- It's understood there have been five ignition friction incidents at the mine since April last year
- The Mining and Energy Union is working through the issues and working to ensure members receive all their entitlements
The NSW Resources Regulator stepped in to shut down the Russell Vale mine near Wollongong after investigations into multiple incidents found little improvement in safety compliance.
In the latest incident on January 5, excess methane was released through a gas drainage borehole which led to a fire. No one was injured.
During the investigation, the regulator placed restrictions on the mine that reduced its cutting capacity by 60 per cent.
In response, the mine operator removed all contract labour from the site.
At least five fires
The Mining and Energy union said it is aware of at least five significant "frictional ignition" events at the mine in the past eight months.
In May, three workers escaped injury during an overnight shift at the colliery when a continuous miner exposed a borehole releasing methane.
It is believed the gas was ignited by picks from the cutter coming into contact with rocky material.
A large flame spread over the machinery and towards the miners, power was cut and the fire was extinguished within 30 seconds.
The Resources Regulator said it had been working with the mine since April when it became aware of the first ignition event and has significantly increased compliance and enforcement at the mine.
In the annual report for the year ending March 31, 2023, the mine detailed two dozen injuries.
"Russell Vale colliery recorded a total of 24 recordable injuries for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023," it said.
Nine were lost time cases, 10 restricted work cases and five medical treatment cases.
'Scary' situation
The union's district secretary, Andy Davey, said the workforce was "downhearted".
"The five significant breaches of safety over the past seven months is very concerning for not only for workers but for everybody," he said.
"If it was through quick thinking and great reaction from the guys that the fires were extinguished that is excellent, sometimes they burn out themselves, but they could have caused multiple fatalities.
"It is pretty scary."
Prior to the order stopping work at the site, Mr Davey said he was concerned at least half the workforce – or about 70 full- time employees would lose their jobs.
"We are focused on ensuring the company follows the national employment standards with notification period and correct payouts."
The union is also trying to help the affected contracting firms to see if they can assist and redirect members to other companies looking for workers.
He said the union did not have a good relationship with the owners with no enterprise agreement in place.
In May, the union took the company to the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal.
It's not yet known how many staff will be hit by the full shutdown, with the union hoping to hold more meetings on Monday with its members.
Wollongong Resources was contacted for comment.
A spokesman for the NSW government said the safety of workers in mines was a top priority.
"NSW has a robust regulatory framework for safety in mines, evidenced by the strong oversight role played by the Resources Regulator," the spokesman said.
"Mine safety is paramount. The operator of the mine must address the issues identified by the Resources Regulator before operations resume."
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