Miner dies at BHP’s Olympic Dam mine

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Olympic Dam is a multi-mineral ore body containing uranium oxide, copper, gold and silver. Image credit: BHP Billiton

A 47-year-old-miner from Tumby Bay lost his life after a rock fall at BHP Billiton’s Olympic Dam underground copper mine in South Australia.

Olympic Dam
Olympic Dam is a multi-mineral ore body containing uranium oxide, copper, gold and silver.
Image credit: BHP Billiton

Production at the mine has been temporarily stopped and the company announced that a full investigation into the incident is currently underway.

Emergency response procedures have been activated and BHP is currently directing all of its efforts to ensuring the safety of workers in the area.

“BHP Billiton Olympic Dam is deeply saddened to advise that an employee working at its underground mine was fatally injured in an incident this morning, Tuesday 10 February 2015. The next of kin and family have been informed and we are working closely with the authorities on the matter. A full investigation is underway. We extend our deepest condolences and support to our colleague’s family and friends, as well as our other employees and contractors at this difficult time,” BHP said in a news release.

Adertisement

SafeWork SA Executive Director Bryan Russell confirmed that the regulator has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“SafeWork SA’s investigation into the incident will identify any breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) as well as all parties with potential responsibility for workplace safety. While SafeWork SA will now begin an investigation into the circumstances of this incident, we are ever mindful of the tragedy this man’s death brings to his family, friends and co-workers,” reads the official statement.

Mr Russell added that there would be no further information released as details gathered in the investigation could be used as evidence in legal proceedings.

Olympic Dam produces copper, uranium and gold and is a centrepiece of BHP Billiton’s stable of global operations. Last week, the company announced plans to axe 300 jobs from the site in response to the sharp slump in commodity prices which tumbled to a five-and-a-half-year low.