More than 100 x-rays and CT scans have been sent to the United States for screening and diagnosis after the epidemic resurfaced in Queensland and two inquiries were completed into Black Lung disease.

CFMEU Mining and Energy Division Queensland District President Steve Smyth said the union is aware of an eighth case.

“While this is the seventh publicly confirmed case, we know that there are a number of coal mine workers who have this disease and we've been waiting on confirmation," he said.

"At least one former miner has been confirmed with pneumoconiosis but the Queensland Government won’t confirm the case until they have ticked it off.

“These seven publicly confirmed cases are just the tip of the iceberg, but we think that number could be as high as twelve. This is going to be an ongoing process over the coming weeks and months.”

The union says that these cases are only coming to light due to the application of the strict ILO standards to read x-rays and application of the B-Reader process by experienced, trained and competent radiologists, adding that other mining companies should apply the same process as Vale has done to ensure world’s best practice.

“Miners are still going to work every day not knowing if they have Black Lung disease and it will only be after these records are checked properly by radiologists qualified to the B-Reader level will they have any certainty,” Smyth said.