An Anglo American Metallurgical Coal employee was airlifted to hospital after sustaining a serious injury at Grasstree, with initial reports saying the worker suffered the injury when his arm became caught in a mine ventilation door.
“This accident [Grasstree] appears to indicate that the pressure across the seals and doors in the ventilation circuit is too great,” Golsby told ILN.
“They are trying to ventilate just by pumping more air in rather than the more intelligent way of redesigning the mine plan to make an effective ventilation circuit.
“Any new drives needed to complete a better designed ventilation circuit are generally cut through coal, so the cost is offset somewhat.”
A Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation spokesman said about Grasstree: “In this particular case there are two sets of steel double doors spaced about 15 metres apart that form an airlock to allow men and machinery to pass from one part of a ventilation circuit to another (at different ventilation pressure) without causing a short circuit of the ventilation from high to low pressure”
Anglo and the Queensland Mines Inspectorate are now investigating the incident.
Golsby believes mines neglect the importance of ventilation at their peril.
“Ventilation is a job for real experts but unfortunately it is an area that most people shy away from,” Golsby said.
“Production bonuses paid to undermanagers and deputies are not shared with ventilation officers.
“Moreover, if you make a mistake as undermanager or a deputy the odd person may get hurt.
“If you snafu the ventilation, you get a Pike River.
“Not many want to take on the responsibility.”
The Huntly East mine in New Zealand is redesigning its ventilation system and installing new fans on a recently completed shaft but may also have to cut a third drive to optimise the ventilation circuit.
