Mines Minister Henry Palaszczuk said the review panel had unanimously accepted Queensland's safety standards and the new International Code of Practice for Underground Coal Mining Safety and Health included many of the new standards set by Queensland.

“Queensland's mining safety standards are among the best in the world and have been significantly improving since the 1994 Moura mining disaster,” Palaszczuk said.

“The new code includes these improvements, such as standards for mine seals and the use of oxygen self rescuers, allowing people underground to escape to the surface even if the mine’s air contains poisonous gases,” he said.

The 2006 review panel included representatives from employer groups, workers unions and regulators. The nine countries represented included China, United States of America, Poland, India, Germany, Russia, South Africa, Columbia and Australia.

Other changes to the code include:

Ensuring the code is relevant to all countries and compatible with European Union standards

Recognising the role and responsibility of mine contractors

Identifying where to find further information on certain standards; and

Making the document easier to read by grouping sections by risk management standards.

Recognising that safety management in the mining industry is changing constantly, the review panel recommended the code be reviewed in five years time, with the recently revised code to be published later this year.