Minjar Gold fined $35,500 for sinkhole incident at Mid West site caused by an unsafe work environment in 2018

Australian miner Minjar Gold has been fined $35,500 after a blast truck and integrated tool carrier fell into a 13m sinkhole at a Mid West mine site. No one was hurt in the incident in October 2018, but four workers had been working closely to the trucks just minutes prior. The sinkhole formed after the ground collapsed in the floor of the gold pit. Investigations found the mining operators had not treated backfilled underground workings as a void, allowing work to be carried out above an area of unknown stability. The gold producers had been mining at the Golden Grove Operations near Yalgoo at the time. Golden Grove Operations was previously fined $35,500 for the incident back in June 2022. Acting WorkSafe chief inspector mines Christina Folley condemned Minjar Gold for allowing workers to operate on potentially unstable pits. “The workers in the area shortly before the incident were lucky to escape and this incident could have resulted in serious injury or loss of life,” she said. “While the company had identified the stope void as a risk, it did not implement the recommended controls. “Minjar Gold should have properly applied a voids procedure or other control such as confirmation of backfill competency, probe drilling or a geotechnical review.” Ms Folley said it was vital for mine operators to monitor and record changes in the underground conditions of open pits. “Voids pose a significant workplace risk, so mine operators must ensure underground workings close to active work areas are marked on all plans,” she said. “Minjar Gold should have developed safe working practices that did not presume any stope was tight filled.” Minjar Gold have been ordered to pay a further $10,000 in costs.