Two dead in Dugald River mine incident

Perenti has confirmed the deaths of two of its employees, previously missing Barminco miners, following an incident at the Dugald River underground mine in Queensland.

The Perth-based mining services group released a statement today, saying two Barminco employees, Trevor Davis and Dylan Langridge, were fatally injured after an incident yesterday morning.

Three Barminco employees, one in a drill rig and two in a light vehicle, fell about 15 metres into a void in a previously backfilled stope when already 125 metres below the surface, Perenti says.

Operations at the mine were halted yesterday, with a search under way.

"The drill rig operator was rescued and received medical treatment for minor injuries. Tragically, through the rescue effort it has been confirmed that the two other Barminco employees, Trevor Davis and Dylan Langridge, were fatally injured," Perenti said.

Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell said the immediate and ongoing focus was on providing support to the families, friends and colleagues of the two miners.

“This is a devastating outcome and I want to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Trevor and Dylan, both of whom should have come home safely from work yesterday," he said.

“Barminco has been operating at MMG’s Dugald River mine since early 2012 with members of our workforce residing in the local area.

"This tragic incident is devastating and will have a lasting impact on not only the families and friends of Trevor and Dylan but also on the workforce of Dugald River, the Cloncurry and Mount Isa communities and the entire Perenti workforce.

“The rescue operation has now sadly completed. Our primary focus is that of support for the families and colleagues of Trevor and Dylan and in parallel completing a comprehensive investigation.” 

The underground mine in Queensland is wholly owned by MMG, producing zinc concentrate with by-products including lead and silver.

Mr Norwell said Perenti would work to understand the circumstances behind the incident and establish additional measures to prevent another incident, in collaboration with MMG and Queensland authorities.

"Unless further material information comes to light, no further formal updates will be provided such that our full resources can continue to focus on supporting the families and conducting the investigation," he said.