High Hazards Unit closes Broken Hills gold mine in Coromandel

The Department of Labour’s High Hazards Unit today issued a prohibition notice to the Broken Hills gold mine in Coromandel, shutting it down until a major issue is rectified.

“Following a visit to the mine earlier this year, I told the owner that he was not to operate the mine until he had provided us with a plan for developing a second exit.  He has not provided us with that plan, so my requirement that the mine is not worked is still in force,” says Acting Chief Mines Inspector, Gavin Taylor

“Two of the High Hazards Unit’s inspectors visited the mine today and not only did they discover it was working again, but they also discovered other possible breaches of the Health and Safety in Employment Mining (Underground) Regulations.

“On that basis I had no option but to order the mine shut down until the owner provides the High Hazards Unit with a plan for developing a second exit for safety assessment,” Mr Taylor says.