Australian mining services provider Perenti Ltd said on Thursday that two missing mine workers had been found dead after falling down a hole at MMG Ltd’s zinc mine in Queensland state.
China’s MMG on Wednesday halted operations at the underground mine after two people employed by contractor Barminco, owned by Perenti, fell down a holethat authorities said had happened because of a “ground collapse.”
Rescuers confirmed Trevor Davis, 36, and Dylan Langridge, 33, were fatally injured after falling about 15 metres in a previously backfilled area, Perenti said in a statement on Thursday.
A third employee was rescued with minor injuries.
Earlier on Thursday, arescue team using drones and heavy underground mining equipment found the vehicle Davis and Langridge had been using.
“This is a devastating outcome and I want to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Trevor and Dylan, both of whom should have come home safely from work yesterday,” said Perenti chief executive Mark Norwell.
Perenti will work with MMG and Queensland state authorities to investigate how the accident happened and what additional safeguards are needed, Norwell added.
(By Renju Jose and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Sandra Maler and Gerry Doyle)
Comments