Queensland Government mines inspectors are investigating a roof fall incident which occurred in a longwall of the Grosvenor underground coal mine near Moranbah on 4 July 2016, a spokesman for the Department of Natural Resources and Mines told International Coal News.

“Mine management advised Inspectors that at approximately 9.30 pm there was a fall of ground from the roof in a 16 metre section of the longwall,” he said.

“Three coal workers were in the general area at the time but were under protective cover at the maingate end of the longwall. There were no injuries and at no time was access to the face or ventilation affected; or a risk of workers being trapped inside the area of fall.”

Mines inspectors are working with mine management to investigate the cause of the incident and monitor work to re-support the roof before fallen rock debris is removed in that particular section of the longwall, the spokesman said.

Last month a roof fall incident occurred in a longwall development panel of the Grosvenor mine.

There were four workers operating with continuous mining machinery in the area at the time of the incident. None were injured and all four miners safely removed themselves from the affected area.

Mines inspectors are working with mine management to investigate the cause of the incident and monitor work to re-support the roof before fallen rock debris is removed and production can resume in that particular section of the mine.