The workshop, organised by the Queensland Mines Inspectorate, industry safety and health representatives and coal mine operators, will be held March 4 and 5 in Emerald.

The workshop is designed for industry to review the effectiveness with which it seals parts of the mine and the application of the Queensland Coal Mining Safety and Health Legislation 2001.

“Mines have developed and improved their individual sealing processes, and some mines now apply leading industry practices for their circumstances,” workshop organisers said.

“This workshop is an opportunity to benchmark best practices and to discuss issues with the application and interpretation of existing legislation. Recent events internationally have also placed a focus on sealing and associated matters.”

Following the workshop, a tripartite organising committee may make recommendations to the Coal Mining Legislation Review Committee.

Organisers are encouraging attendance by underground mine managers and site senior executives; ventilation officers; site and industry safety and health representatives; those involved in sealing processes and provision of sealing products, including mining engineers, technical services, and service providers; and mines inspectors.

The workshop aims to impart an understanding of how individual mines are applying legislation, how they have designed their sealing process and how they are utilising the types of seals currently provided for in the legislation. The interaction with the Mines Inspectorate in that process will also be discussed.

The program includes a look at legislation; the outcome of an Inspectorate Sealing Review Committee; coal mine operators’ perspectives; examples of sealing management plans by mines with differing environmental conditions and mining methods; seals and seal design; the USA perspective; and a range of technical sessions.

Enquiries for more information can be directed to District Inspector of Mines Mike Walker - Mike.walker@dme.qld.gov.au