Sandfire Resources has been fined half a million dollars over a rock fall incident that left one of its operators “lucky to be alive” at the DeGrussa underground copper mine.
Sandfire Resources has been fined half a million dollars over a rock fall incident that left one of its operators “lucky to be alive” at the DeGrussa underground copper mine.
The minerals explorer pleaded guilty to failing to take appropriate measures to ensure workers at the Meekatharra-located mine were not exposed to hazards in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
As the principal employer, Sandfire was fined $551,250 and ordered to pay $4,670 in costs.
The incident occurred in May 2020 when an underground explosives operator was working from an elevated basket attached to a mobile charging unit when the ground above him collapsed.
It took nearly 20 minutes to free the worker, whose co-workers thought was dead, after the rock fall pushed the basket to the ground, trapping him and making it difficult to breath.
According to a Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety statement, the workers were unsure of the integrity of the ground above them during the rescue and feared they might be killed by another rock fall incident.
Upon the explosives operators being freed, he had suffered broken ribs, lacerations and scratches.
WorkSafe Chief Inspector of Mines Christina Folley said underground mines required detailed analysis of rock structures and planning to ensure employees working underground were safe.
“The worker involved in this rock fall is extremely lucky to be alive, and the situation may have been even worse had more ground fallen during his rescue,” she said.
“Underground workers had raised concerns about the integrity of the ground with Sandfire Resources in the days prior to the rock fall.
“While the company implemented remedial measures, they were inadequate as their actions were based on inaccurate information and did not take into account significant geological features in the area.
“Operators must apply sound geotechnical engineering practice to determine the ground conditions, the ground support and reinforcement requirements, as well as the size, shape and orientation of all the openings that can be safely excavated.
“Most importantly, the mine’s Ground Control Management Plan must be up-to-date and accurate.”
Sandfire completed underground mining operations at its DeGrussa site in October 2022 and ceased processing operations in May 2023.
