On Tuesday, inspectors arrived unannounced to carry out the first audits at several mines with potential high-risk areas and recent high potential incident records.

Key areas to be examined in the audits include strata control, ventilation, fire prevention, fatigue management and electrical safety.

“We have the best legislation on mine safety in Australia, but it must continue to be strongly enforced on the ground – mine by mine, employer by employer, worker by worker,” Wilson said.

“Vigilance must be the highest priority on every shift at every mine. All those responsible for safety must fully play their part to ensure they never lose focus.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of the men and women who work in our mining industry.”

The audits are conducted by mine inspectors and external mining specialists and will continue over the next three to six months.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the plan, labelling it a step closer to achieving an industry free of fatalities and serious injuries.

“Unscheduled audits by the Queensland Mines Inspectorate complement the audits and evaluations of safety systems employed by mining companies to check and improve safety systems and performance,” QRC chief executive Michael Roche said.

Recent high potential incidents reported to the Mines Inspectorate have included rock falls, equipment injuries, vehicle accidents and collisions, small fires and explosions.