Fitzroy Australia Resources has confirmed that an ignition of methane gas occurred at its Carborough Downs coal mine in central Queensland.
The incident took place on last Friday (July 10) in the rib line area that was being developed for future longwall mining.
Fitzroy Australia crew quickly extinguished the flame. No personnel was injured in the incident.
Initial investigation findings indicate that the flame developed when installing standard strata support.
The company immediately suspended mining activities in the development panels, pending the outcome of Fitzroy Australia and Queensland Mines Inspectorate (QMI)’s investigation.
“QMI attended (the) site on 11 July 2020 to commence inquiries into the incident,” the QMI told Safe to Work in a statement.
“The mine is investigating the incident in accordance with its obligations. All development activities have been suspended.”
Carborough Downs is an underground longwall mine in the Bowen Basin, producing predominantly coking coal as well as pulverised coal injection (PCI) as a secondary product. It employs around 340 full time employees and contractors.
Fitzroy Australia had undertaken a longwall expansion at the Carborough Downs mine to maximise reserve extraction.