Australian Mine Safety Journal is digital publication on mining industry

Today Roy Hill welcomed the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Environment and MP for the Pilbara, Kevin Michel MLA to open the completed Roy Hill Rail Bridge . The Roy Hill funded bridge is a $18.66 million new single span rail bridge carrying the Great Northern Highway over the Roy Hill rail line, leading into Port Hedland’s port. The new bridge replaces an existing level crossing, enabling the free movement of traffic over the rail line, and removes the potential for a railroad accident at the intersection. Main Roads WA have overseen the design, procurement process and construction of the project, and now the project is complete, will oversee the future operations and ongoing maintenance of the bridge. Main Roads WA appointed WA business Georgiou Pty Ltd the contract to construct the bridge, and local Pilbara Aboriginal business Gebro Contracting as the project site supervisor, with the construction of the bridge generating 65 ...

Peabody have provided an update overnight on the previously reported North Goonyella mine fire and have advised that the Queensland Mines Rescue GAG is now being returned offsite. Peabody says that activities at the North Goonyella mine site remain focused on assessment of underground conditions and advanced planning for re-ventilation ahead of potential re-entry to the mine when safe and appropriate to do so. The mine is still maintaining exclusion zones with underground access prohibited and limited access to surface areas of the mine and has been undertaking a range of surface drilling activities  to establish additional monitoring boreholes. The company says that drilling is near completion. Water has continued to plague the mine with a accumulation in a number of areas. Peabody say that “Pumping activities are advancing in response to ongoing accumulation of water in parts of the mine.” The update highlights that the use of cameras to assess undergr...

A US based mines rescue team has completed a search today of a sealed abandoned mine for a missing person. The mine was reportedly last entered in 1998. According to reports, the mine, in Boone County West Virginia, was permanently sealed off until two men broke through a concrete barrier at the portal. The mine was apparently signposted with no trespassing signs. The men had reportedly entered the mine to steal copper cables (possibly for scrap resale). Police said in a statement “One man came out from the mine but the other went missing” The Director of the West Virginia Office of Miner’s Health, Safety and Training said this morning that that they led a joint effort with Blackhawk Mining to enter the mine and start the exploration process underground for the missing man. A team of three rescuers, comprised of two members from MHST and one from Blackhawk Mining, equipped with breathing apparatus and gas detectors. An abandoned mine can pos...