Workers ‘shocked and traumatised’ as fire continues to rage in underground mine

Authorities are still trying to extinguish the blaze at the Grosvenor site in central Queensland, which broke out when methane gas ignited over the weekend, creating a “volatile situation”.

No one was injured in the fire at Queensland’s largest underground coal mine, operated by Anglo American.

However, advice has been offered to the 1,400 workers at Moranbah mine as they consider their future.

The fire is expected to last for several days and the mine is expected to remain closed for months.

The fire comes after a 2020 gas explosion at the same mine left five workers with serious burns.

“Given that this is the second incident of its kind, questions have to be asked about the long-term viability of this mine and the safety of continuing mining there,” local Queensland MP Dale Last told AAP.

An exclusion zone has been put in place as authorities battle to control the underground fire.

A mobile unit powered by a jet engine is pumping nitrogen into the site as six ventilation shafts are about to be sealed in an attempt to deprive the fire of oxygen.

“It’s a volatile situation. There’s no doubt about it,” Mr Last said.

“They are currently trying to put out the fire, but they say it could take some time to bring it under control.

“(I)… certainly want to salute the workers who do this work – it’s dangerous, it’s dangerous.”

The Mining and Energy Union said support was being offered to workers as the Moranbah community considered the future of the site.

The mine produces a significant portion of Anglo American’s steelmaking coal output.

“We recognize that many workers feel shocked and traumatized by Saturday’s event,” the union said in a statement.

“We are working directly with members and the company to ensure workers receive the advice and other health support they need at this time.”

The union said workers continue to receive normal wages at this stage, but “the prospects for reopening the mine remain uncertain at this time.”

“We are holding regular meetings with Anglo to discuss developments at the mine and the outlook for workers,” he said.

“We recognise and appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in managing the situation at Grosvenor, which has been frightening and upsetting for the entire mining community.”

Mr Last said if the mine was closed it would have a “significant impact” on the Moranbah community.

“I am very concerned about the reopening of the mine. That said, the safety of the workers must be the priority,” he said.

“If the decision is made to close the mine, I would like to think that Anglo will do everything it can to find other jobs.

“It’s a time of uncertainty for workers who are virtually in limbo right now.”

Anglo American’s Australian CEO Daniel van der Westhuizen met with Moranbah authorities on Tuesday to review the impact of the fire.

The smoke that has been coming out of the mine for several days has “visibly diminished”, and no air quality problems have been raised to date.

Anglo said on Tuesday it would work closely with authorities to plan next steps “with a view to implementing a safe restart and continued safe operation at the appropriate time”.

Anglo is the world’s third largest exporter of metallurgical coal.