Authorities have shut down operations at a Queensland coal mine after two fatalities in just three weeks. 

The Byerwen coal mine in Queensland has been forced to suspend the use of all heavy vehicles following a fatal accident last week, the second in less than a month. 

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) issued the directive after a collision between two vehicles led to the death of 56-year-old Chris Schloss, a long-serving worker at the site. 

This incident has prompted QCoal, the mine's owner, to halt operations and send most of its workforce home on full pay, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

RSHQ's Chief Executive Officer, Rob Djukic, says the suspension is necessary to ensure safety at the site. 

“QCoal has chosen to suspend operations at the mine, but we've taken this extra step to ensure activities involving heavy vehicles cannot take place until our inspector is satisfied that it is safe to do so,” said Djukic. 

The incident occurred just three weeks after another worker died when struck by a demountable building at the same mine. 

Both fatalities have raised serious concerns about the safety practices at the Bowen Basin site, located approximately 160 kilometres west of Mackay.

QCoal, which operates the open-cut mine in partnership with Japan's JFE Steel Corp, says it is working closely with investigators and providing support to the workers’ family and colleagues.

Union representatives have criticised QCoal's management, with Mining and Energy Union General Vice-President Steven Smyth calling for action, arguing that the mine's safety record falls short of legal requirements. 

Despite these concerns, Queensland's Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the state government does not have the power to revoke QCoal’s mining licence, leaving such decisions to RSHQ. 

Stewart said that despite Queensland's stringent safety laws, the recent incidents necessitate further examination of safety practices within the industry. 

Ongoing investigations by both RSHQ and the Queensland Police could potentially influence broader safety reforms across the sector. 

This year alone, six miners have died nationwide, half of them in Queensland.

 

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