An investigation information release has been published by the Resources Regulator following an incident where a contract worker was fatally injured when he fell through a mine shaft on 17 September 2024.
The incident occurred when contractors were preparing to attach steel plates to beams fixed to a shaft cover at the Austar Coal Mine’s number 2 shaft. When the incident occurred, the mine was in a decommissioning phase and was being prepared for closure.
The mine is located approximately 10 kilometres from Cessnock, in the NSW Hunter Valley.
The Investigation Information Release describes the initial investigations conducted by the Regulator into the cause and circumstances of the incident and provides safety information to industry. The mine operator and other parties are assisting with further investigations, and a report will be published when the investigation is concluded.
