PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government has announced a mine safety board of inquiry to investigate more than 40 methane gas incidents in Queensland’s underground coal mines since mid-2019.

The inquiry follows the underground gas explosion at major Anglo American’s Grosvenor coal mine near Moranbah, which put five miners in hospital.

“The board will be able to conduct public hearings, call witnesses and make broad inquiries, findings and recommendations relating to the incident,” Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said.

“The board’s terms of reference ask them to inquire into the incident at Grosvenor mine as well as 40 other high potential incidents relating to the principal hazard of methane.

“Further the board of inquiry is to make recommendations for improving safety and health practices and procedures to mitigate against the risk of these incidents happening again.

“They will report by November 30 this year.”

The Minister noted that Queensland has the world’s toughest mine safety and health laws after five years of sweeping reform under the government.

“I look forward to this inquiry helping us bring home every Queensland worker to their friends and family at the end of their working day.”

Lynham told Parliament on Thursday that the board members would be retired District Court Judge Terry Martin, as chairperson, and Professor Andrew Hopkins from the Australian National University, an expert in coal mine health and safety.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief of Coal Mines and a team of inspectors continued a full investigation on site at Grosvenor mine.

Anglo American on Thursday noted that the company proactively manages the methane at its underground coal operations through a number of measures, including the draining of gas before and during mining and the installation of extensive ventilation infrastructure.

“We exceed the regulatory requirements at our mines by having a higher number of methane sensors and have additional controls than what is specified in the regulations. Many of the high potential incidents (HPIs) reported to the Mines Inspectorate were from methane exceedances picked up by these additional sensors,” CEO of the metallurgical coal business Tyler Mitchelson said.

“Anglo American continues to proactively learn from all incidents, and we will cooperate fully in the inquiry as an opportunity to continue to improve the management of methane and safety in underground mining.”

Mitchelson on Thursday also said that the company’s priority remained the care of its five injured colleagues and their families.

“Our own technical investigation into the Grosvenor methane ignition incident is underway with industry experts, including in the areas of methane and ventilation management and forensic fire analysis.

“The safety of our people is what is most important. We want answers as to why an ignition of methane occurred at Grosvenor mine and we understand that everyone else does too.”