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Mine fire inquiry finds notices issued more than halved

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A new report has shown an uptick in mine fires in 2024, but official notices issued in response have decreased by more than 50 per cent.

The New South Wales Resources Regulator’s annual ‘Fires on mobile plant’ report offers the state’s mining industry, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers a look at all notifiable fire-related incidents in the 2023–24 financial year.

The latest data shows an eight per cent increase in notified incidents in FY24 compared to the previous year.

The total number of incidents reported reached 206, the third highest recorded over the last 10 years and only two fewer than the highest total of 208 in FY21.

Fires at surface coal mines accounted for 79 per cent of incidents, the highest percentage in the past five years.

But in spite of an increase in reports, things are looking good for the industry as more miners take action to manage the risk of fires.

Where a mine operator has not taken appropriate steps to manage the risk of fires on mobile plant, escalated enforcement action will be taken by the state Regulator.

Overall, just six notices were issued in relation to fires on mobile plant in FY24, with four s191 improvement notices, one s23 notice of concern and one s195 prohibition notice issued under the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013.

This is a decrease of 54 per cent compared to the 13 notices issued in FY23.

“The Regulator’s position is that all fires on mobile plant are avoidable and preventable and we have adopted a zero-tolerance approach where mine operators have not taken appropriate steps to manage this risk,” the NSW Resources Regulator said.

“The Regulator is committed to working with industry to ensure health and safety obligations are being met to reduce the number of fires on mobile plant and to prevent potentially catastrophic events.”

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