15 July, 2024A methane gas explosion in the underground Grosvenor coal mine, on 29 June, near Moranbah led to the evacuation of workers but with no reported injuries.
Mining inspectors are conducting investigations amid fears by the Mining and Energy Union (MEU), affiliated to IndustriALL Global Union, that the mine owned by Anglo American and produces steel making coal might permanently close.
The mining incident is a test case for the commitments on occupational health and safety in the memorandum of understanding between Anglo American and IndustriALL which were reiterated recently at the Anglo American global dialogue meeting. However, the union stated that Anglo American is cooperating better during this incident than before.
“I have to say the approach by the Australian Anglo management team is something I have not experienced in the past. They have been upfront and transparent. This is due to the last event and our pressure. But they have been working hard with us on the safety of the workers and future of our members jobs,”
said Stephen Smyth, MEU general vice president. According to a statement, workers will be paid until 31 August while Anglo American attempts to recover the mine. Some workers will be reassigned to open-cut operations whilst others will be transferred to the corporate office in Brisbane. During the last incident in 2020 five workers suffered extensive burns following a similar explosion and methane levels at the mine have remained high.
Jeff Scale, district vice president, MEU Queensland District added:
“It is apparent that Anglo American is walking the talk at least at the Australian operations but the true test lies in extending this to its other global operations as workers face an uncertain future that can be managed by full transparency and social dialogue.”
“Coming up with amicable plans as a response to the incident at Grosvenor mine represents the essence of the global dialogue that Anglo American is implementing that we agreed upon in the memorandum of understanding with regards to occupational health and safety. Having dialogue with unions on workers welfare after the evacuation of the mine is important especially with job security at stake,”
said Glen Mpufane IndustriALL director for mining and the lead in health and safety.
Grosvenor is one of Anglo American’s coal assets that are on sale after a failed hostile take-over bid by BHP. However, reopening the mine might take several months because of the explosion which ignited a fire.
Photo: Anglo American