A specialist rescue team has brought 28 people safely to the surface following a rockfall at a Ballarat gold mine on Wednesday afternoon, though there has been one fatality and another person remains in critical condition.
Thirty miners became trapped just before 5:00pm on Wednesday after a rock collapse, with 28 of the workers successfully brought to the surface without incident.
Two workers were pinned by the falling rocks. One of the workers was rescued and transported to hospital in Melbourne, where he remains in critical condition. The other worker died at the scene following extensive rescue efforts.
Ballarat City Mayor Des Hudson said the city would rally around those affected.
“We are a resilient community, we look after one another and we come together to support one another, and I have no doubt that our community will absolutely do the same while this issue at the gold mine is being worked through,” he said.
Hudson also told Channel 7’s Sunrise that the man’s death was “devastating”.
“Our hearts go out to the family of that miner who never came home from work but also to the other miner who is currently in the Alfred Hospital with very significant injuries and has a battle in front of him,” he said.
Victory Metals, the operator of the mine, released a statement offering its sympathies and thoughts to those affected.
“It was with great sadness that we confirm one of our own has passed away,” Victory Minerals partner Rebecca Harrison said.
“Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with his family and all our people right now.
“Our absolute priority is supporting the wellbeing of our team members and their families and loved ones, as we all come to terms with this tragic news.”
The 28 employees who escaped injury were able to make it to a safety point in the mine to wait for rescue teams.
Many underground mines employ refuge chambers underground to create a sealed and safe environment for workers in the event of an accident.
These chambers feature a closed-circuit breathing apparatus which removed carbon dioxide from the air while adding in oxygen. The chambers also maintain temperature and humidity, providing a safe location for employees to shelter while they wait for rescue.
The chambers are used primarily when self-evacuation is not safe or practical, such as when a rockfall blocks the evacuation path or makes the air hazardous to breathe.
Inspectors and technical specialists from WorkSafe remain on site.
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