The Queensland Coal Mining Board of Inquiry’s second tranche of Public Hearings was adjourned on Friday 9 April 2021.
Since hearings commenced on 9 March, the Board has heard evidence from 15 witnesses including mining inspectors from Resources Safety & Health Queensland, industry experts and an injured coal mine worker.
Topics covered included the serious accident at Grosvenor mine on 6 May 2020, 27 methane exceedances that occurred at the mine between 1 July 2019 and 5 May 2020, and the role of the Mines Inspectorate and its response to high potential incidents.
A number of specialists gave evidence during the hearings including forensic fire investigators and industry experts in the fields of spontaneous combustion, gas chromatography, gas drainage, gas management, geotechnics, the exothermic reactions associated with the curing of polyurethane resin and the continuous inertisation of goafs.
Recordings of each hearing day, transcripts and exhibited documents can be viewed on the Board of Inquiry’s website www.coalminesinquiry.qld.gov.au.
Chairperson and Board Member Mr Terry Martin SC thanked all witnesses and parties with leave to appear who participated in the public hearings and provided written submissions.
“I would also like to thank those who assisted the Inquiry through the provision of information,” Mr Martin said.
“The Board is now finalising its investigation and writing Part II of the Report with relevant findings and recommendations.
“If the Board decides to call further witnesses these hearings will be held virtually and livestreamed to the public.”
Part II of the Report will be provided to the Minister for Resources on 31 May 2021.
For more information, or to view Part I of the Report, please visit the Queensland Coal Mining Board of Inquiry’s website www.coalminesinquiry.qld.gov.au.