More than 40 methane gas incidents in Queensland’s underground coal mines since mid-2019 are to be investigated by a Mine Safety Board of Inquiry.
The inquiry follows the underground gas explosion at Grosvenor Mine near Moranbah which put five miners in hospital.
Minister for Mines, Anthony Lynham told Parliament the Board would be headed by retired District Court Judge, Terry Martin, with expert in coal mine health and safety, Andrew Hopkins from the Australian National University.
“The Board will be able to conduct public hearings, call witnesses and make broad inquiries, findings and recommendations relating to the incident,” Dr Lynham said.
“The Board’s terms of reference ask it to inquire into the incident at Grosvenor Mine as well as 40 other high-potential incidents relating to the principal hazard of methane.”
He said the Board had been asked to determine the nature and cause of the Grosvenor accident and make findings.
“Further, the Board of Inquiry is to make recommendations for improving safety and health practices and procedures to mitigate against the risk of these incidents happening again,” the Minister said.
“It will report by 30 November this year.”
Dr Lynham said the Deputy Chief of Coal Mines and a team of inspectors continued a full investigation on site at the Grosvenor mine.
