The NSW Resources Regulator is investigating an incident at the Narrabri underground coal mine.
A worker was driving a load haul dumper in an underground roadway on March 13, 2023, when the onboard automatic methane monitoring system shut the machine down.
The monitoring system on the dumper was set to shut the dumper down when the atmospheric concentration of methane gas reached 1.25 per cent. A concentration of 2.5 per cent methane and 3 per cent carbon dioxide was detected by the operator’s personal gas monitor at the time, the regulator has stated in an interim information release.
The LHD operator contacted the mine’s control room and a deputy, notifying the gas exceedance.
The mine then demarcated the area, degassed the roadway and investigated the incident.
“Initial inquiries by the NSW Resources Regulator revealed that the incident occurred within an underground roadway at the mine identified as the Longwall 204 Install Face. The roadway was within a district frequently accessed by workers and diesel-operated mobile plant and equipment,” the information stated.
No injuries were sustained because of the incident, however, the potential maximum methane and carbon dioxide concentrations present in the roadway at the time the dumper entered, created a significant risk of methane ignition, or of the worker being overcome in the oxygen-depleted atmosphere.
The regulator has started an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of the incident. In the initial release of information, the NSW Resources Regulator said the mine operator and involved contractors are assisting with the investigation.
“A report will be published when the investigation is concluded,” the information read.
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