THE state’s mining watchdog is investigating two separate accidents at Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek mine, which occurred on consecutive days last week.
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On Friday night, a loader backed into dump truck, while a service truck went up in flames on Saturday.
No one was injured in either incident.
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment confirmed it was notified of the accidents, and was conducting an investigation.
“The Resources Regulator can confirm that both incidents were reported to the regulator by the mine operator,” a spokesperson told The Leader.
“A mine safety inspector has been deployed to the mine site to undertake an assessment of both incidents.
“As inquiries are ongoing no further comment can be provided.”
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Whitehaven Coal spokesperson also confirmed both incidents.
“We take any incident seriously and are cooperating with the regulator,” the Whitehaven spokesperson said.
It’s the second time the NSW government has investigated Maules Creek coal mine for safety-related issues this year.
In April, the Resources Regulator investigated a truck crash at the mine that led to a worker being airlifted to hospital.
In its report, the watchdog found the 43-year-old man was seriously injured when the service truck he was driving collided with a large haul truck at a major four-way intersection on the mine haul road.
Investigators found the intersection traffic control rules were changed one day prior to the incident.
Jamieson Murphy
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
