This was the eighth annual Miners Memorial Day Service.

The service is held in a mining community every year on September 19.

That date commemorates the day in 1921 when 75 miners were killed in Queensland’s worst mining disaster at the Mount Mulligan coal mine in far north Queensland.

At Mount Mulligan the disaster was triggered by an explosion of coal dust at the face of No. 11 gateway, Fitzpatrick’s machine wall, south side No. 2 seam and travelled the working faces and roads of the mine before passing out of the entrance of both intake and return tunnels.

According to the Mine Safety Institute of Australia, the explosion was most likely caused by the firing of explosive – either accidentally or otherwise – atop a large block of fallen machine-cut coal.

Queensland Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said Miners Memorial Day was an opportunity for families and mining communities to gather and commemorate lives lost.

“It is also an opportunity for everyone associated with mining to recommit to a goal of zero harm in the industry,” he said.

“Sadly, when we pause for a minutes silence we must also remember the four miners lost to mining accidents in Queensland since last year’s memorial service and offer condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.”

Besides Mount Mulligan, Queensland has had several mining disasters including Kianga, where 13 workers died in a mine explosion 40 years ago, and two at Moura in 1986 killing 12 and 1994 when 11 miners died.

Lynham said the gold mining town of Mount Morgan had a long history of mining, dating back to 1882 and, sadly, was no stranger to mining tragedy.

He said more than 180 people were recorded as being killed in mining activities in the district since 1889.