Australian Mine Safety Journal is digital publication on mining industry

Austmine’s Brisbane End of Year Networking event provides an opportunity to celebrate with industry colleagues and the Austmine team at the end of a fantastic year for our industry. The event will be held on Monday 26th November 2018 at the Queensland Cricketer’s Club. Together mining and METS companies have reached new heights in 2018 and are ushering in an exciting digital age driven by new technologies, innovative thinking and collaborative problem-solving. This collective strength and support has enabled Austmine to explore new frontiers for our members throughout the year, such as the creation of international initiatives and projects, facilitation of key industry workshops, increased networking opportunities and greater influence to advocate for our world-leading METS sector. The event will facilitate new connections between METS and miners in attendance and will include short presentations and networking drinks and canapes. More details on the ...

In July this year a new standard for gas detection and monitoring equipment in coal mines was launched. The new standard incorporates world-leading practices feature for management of life saving gas detection equipment in coal mines across Australia and New Zealand. AS/NZS 2290.3:2018 , Electrical equipment for coal mines – Introduction, inspection and maintenance, Part 3: Gas detecting and monitoring equipment was published by the joint Australian and New Zealand technical committee of Standards Australia. “The primary emphasis of this standard is the safety of coal miners, by providing guidance on the use of gas detection equipment in mines,” said Dr Bronwyn Evans, CEO of Standards Australia. “ The Pike River Mine disaster of 2010 is one of the many devastating examples why continued standards development is so important. “Among the changes in this edition of the standard, is a new requirement for routinely measuring the response time of installed gas detection systems....

In preparation for cyclone season many mines across Australia have already formalised emergency response plans for cyclone related events but mining safety regulators are warning that there is no place for complacency. The cyclone season officially started on 1 November 2018 and will run through to 30 April 2019. The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that the probability of cyclones will be reduced due to the effects El Niño On average, there are 10 to 13 tropical cyclones each season in the Australian region, four of which typically cross the coast. El Niño typically reduces the number of coastal crossings, but at least one tropical cyclone has crossed the Australian coast each season since reliable records began in the 1970s. The BOM advised that “during El Niño years, the first tropical cyclone to cross the coast is typically during the second week of January. This is generally later than seasons which are ENSO-neutral when the first cyclone landfall...

The Queensland Parliament this week backed maximum penalties close to $4 million for mining companies that fail to keep their workers safe. As well, mines inspectors will be able to hit mine operators with tough new fines of up to $130,550 without taking them to court. Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham told Parliament today that the changes reflected the Palaszczuk Government’s strong position that non-compliance with safety and health obligations would not be tolerated. “This helps to protect those who work, day after day managing the unique hazards and risks of mining, and the social fabric of families and communities around our mining workers,” Dr Lynham said. “It also helps to bolster the reputation of the mining industry which forms a substantial part of Queensland’s economic prosperity.” Under changes to the  Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999  and the  Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 the state’s mines inspectors wil...