The incident took place on an opal claim in New South Wales.
The man ended up falling 7m into the mine shaft entry.
The NSW Resources Regulator warned the state's opal claim holders to always carry out routine maintenance inspections on critical plant such as hoists.
Repairs should also be carried out when required.
After maintaining and repairing plant, the plant should be inspected, tested and verified as fit-for-purpose before being returned to service.
In October 2022 an investigation by the regulator into the death of Brian Bryant (70) at Grawin opal fields found the opal miner died from neck and head injuries after falling 7m down a mine shaft, possibly after being hit in the head by the powered material hoist.
