Fire deliberately lit in underground ventilation shaft prompts evacuation of KCGM’s Mt Charlotte operation

Detectives from the gold stealing detection unit are investigating the cause of a fire deliberately lit in a ventilation shaft at a Kalgoorlie-Boulder underground mine last month. The fire occurred at KCGM’s Mt Charlotte operation, owned by Northern Star Resources, on March 25, and caused smoke to enter the underground mine’s fresh air intake, prompting an emergency evacuation. A Northern Star Resources spokesperson told the Kalgoorlie Miner it was “deeply disappointing that the persons responsible for this illegal act put at risk the safety of our people and caused an unnecessary evacuation of the Mt Charlotte mine”. The spokesperson said the “small, deliberately lit fire” disrupted operations at Mt Charlotte “for a short period of time” and presented no serious threat to mine personnel. “In line with Northern Star’s well-established emergency response protocols, the priority focus was on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of any workers who were underground at the time of the fire,” the spokesperson said. “There was no serious threat to our people’s wellbeing, and the fire was dealt with quickly and professionally by our emergency response teams, minimising the disruption to operations at Mt Charlotte. “Northern Star is assisting WA Police with investigations into the events that led to the fire.” WA Police said the investigation was ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestopperswa.com.au.