A miner passed away after being trapped underground during a rockfall at the Ballarat Gold Mine, while another man is currently in critical condition at the hospital.
The body of a 37-year-old man from Bruthen was found in the mine on Woolshed Gully Drive in Victoria's Goldfields region overnight on Wednesday. Ronnie Hayden, the Victorian branch secretary of the Australian Workers Union, stated the news during an appearance on Channel Seven's Sunrise program on Thursday morning.
Ballarat Gold Mine Rockfall
An unexpected incident occurred at the Ballarat Gold Mine, leading to the tragic loss of one worker and leaving another in critical condition. A 21-year-old from Ballarat was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital and is currently in critical condition as of Thursday.
Officials confirmed the recovery of a dead worker's body, and the police are making protocols for a coroner's report. WorkSafe has initiated an inquiry into what took place leading up to the unfortunate incident.
According to Ronnie Hayden, the Australian Workers Union Victorian branch secretary, the fatal outcome "could have been avoided." Hayden revealed that the workers were engaged in a manual mining technique known as "air-legging" on unstable ground when the collapse occurred. This method involves the use of a handheld drill operated by two miners.
Hayden expressed reservations regarding the return of this antiquated mining process, highlighting the truth that a majority of mines had stopped using it over the years for reasons related to personal safety. He brought attention to earlier occasions in which the union had expressed worry about the working conditions of employees who were in dangerous situations.
Directly following the tragic incident, Victory Minerals, the proprietors of the Ballarat Gold Mine, sent a statement of grief and extended assistance to the relatives of the injured workers as well as the affected workers individually. The corporation recognized that the control had been transferred from the Victoria Police to WorkSafe Victoria in order to conduct additional investigations about the matter, according to The Guardian.
Ballarat Community Unites in Wake of Tragedy
In regards to yet another horrible incident, the Mayor of Ballarat City, Des Hudson, proclaimed the community's sympathy with one another. Additionally, he clarified the resiliency of the local community as well as its dedication to provide assistance to one another in times of difficulty.
Premier Jacinta Allan extended her sympathies to the impacted workers and families, recognizing the profound impact of the incident on the entire community.
The Ballarat Gold Mine, located approximately 116km west of Melbourne, has been operational since the 1850s. The recent transition of ownership to Victory Minerals occurred in December last year, with the company emphasizing its dedication to safety and well-being in its operations.
While the investigations continue, both WorkSafe and the police will investigate the circumstances behind this incident. This will ensure that an in-depth probe is conducted and that accountability is maintained.
