The conference also covered lessons to be learned from previous mining disasters, as well as new mining technology.

Queensland mines minister Henry Palaszczuk said delegates at the conference had embraced the conference theme “confronting the real issues” and had made a commitment to protect the health and safety of all mine workers across Queensland.

He said safety performance in the Queensland mining industry varied over the past twelve months.

"It is with deep regret to all of industry that four fatal accidents occurred in the non-coal sector of the Queensland mining industry during the 2004-05 financial year. We are further saddened at a death earlier this month in the coal sector,” he said.

"On a positive note, both the industry and the Department of Natural Resources & Mines are pleased that most of the Queensland mining safety performance statistics for 2004-05 showed continued improvement, as has been the case in recent years.

”Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate this year was 4.6, an improvement of 26% on 2003-04, and the best performance ever for Queensland.

"And compared to the rate of 24.7 from a decade ago - after the 1994 Moura mine disaster - this achievement shows that industry best practice for lost time injuries is within reach,” Palaszczuk said.