A worker at an underground coal mine in New South Wales is uninjured after part of a roof he was bolting mesh to fell.
A continuous miner had completed a cut-out and was preparing to install mesh when a 900x800x100mm slab of stone fell and hit the timber jacks before rolling back onto the platform of the miner.
The operator took evasive action when he saw the stone falling and was uninjured. The slab fell when ramping up through an ironstone band in the roof.
The worker was supporting the mesh by hand when the slab fell. The NSW Resources Regulator investigated the scene of the incident.
“Loose roof material should be identified and removed before any bolting activities,” the Regulator said.
“Under no circumstances should workers be exposed to unsupported roof while bolting.
“When ramping up or down through stone ply, the continuous miner should be trammed back before installing mesh on timber jacks.”
The Regulator is also investigating an incident at an underground metals mine elsewhere in the state after an explosives truck carrying about 900kg of emulsion had a fire start in the transmission area.
The truck was tramming up a decline when the operator noticed smoke and heat and initiated the fire suppression.
The incident is still under investigation by the Regulator, though no injuries have been reported.
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