The Resources Regulator has published an investigation information release following an unplanned explosion during mining operations at Mt Arthur Coal Mine, near Muswellbrook on 20 August 2024.
An unplanned blast occurred while a dozer operator was pushing waste material, from a previous (and planned) blast.
The explosion caused multiple pieces of fly rock and parts from the dozer blade to be projected about 100 meters from the incident site. The explosion left a crater measuring 1.8 metres deep, and approximately 3.5 metres wide.
The Regulator has the following guidance materials available to industry:
- Safety Alert November 2023 - Unintended initiation of unidentified (misfired) explosives during excavation
- Australian Standard 2187.2 (2006)
- Section 9 post-blast procedures, in particular 9.4 post blast inspection
- Section 10 misfires
Read the full investigation information release (PDF, 1.23 MB)
