BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has slowly resumed its operations at the Saraji coal mine in the Bowen Basin, Queensland following a tragic incident last week.
A 49 year-old dozer and dragline operator died at around 10pm AEST on New Year’s Eve, suspending the coal mine operations until January 3 2019.
BMA activated the site emergency response team immediately, when the dozer that the man was operating rolled over from an elevated position.
The company had engaged appropriate authorities and would conduct an internal investigation to commence at once.
BHP said in a statement that it was deeply saddened by the incident, and ensured that its people were in the right frame of mind to safely return to work.
The company added that the operator was a well-known and popular member of the Saraji and Workpac team.
“[He] began his career as an apprentice boilermaker at Blackwater mine in approximately 1988 and since then worked in the industry at various mines in Queensland,” BHP said.
“BMA has established an account for donations to Allan’s family … BMA will also automatically contribute on a 2:1 basis for any individual contributions made through the fund.”