During the night shift on June 26, a drill rig operator was repositioning a drill to a face row hole near a highwall.

 

The operator was using the global positioning system of the drill to set up over the hole when the rig travelled over and through the windrow, according to a report by the Resources Regulator. 

 

"On straddling the windrow, the machine was no longer able to propel itself forward and came to a halt with the right hand track suspended over the highwall," it said. 

 

"The operator was able to safely dismount the drill with no physical injuries and called for assistance."

 

Dozers were secured to the drill to drag it clear of the highwall. 

 

The mine is conducting its own detailed investigation into the incident, however, preliminary findings from the Resources Regulator investigation indicate the drill rig operator was unaware of the drill rig's position in relation to the highwall.

 

It also found  the drill rig operator was still undertaking training and had been working in the role for the past six months.