mine shut after rock fall death

Mine shut after rock fall death

September 23, 2006 12:00

CONSOLIDATED Minerals has suspended operations at its Western Australian nickel mine after a worker was yesterday crushed to death in a rock fall.

The 43-year-old contractor was killed yesterday while working underground at the Kambalda Beta Hunt mine about midday AWST.

Police and mining inspectors from the department of Consumer and Employment protection are looking into the cause of the accident.

Authorities today said operations would remain suspended until the investigation was complete.

Consolidated Minerals spokesman Allan Quadrio said the miner, an airleg operator, had considerable experience in his trade and had been working at the Beta Hunt mine for about two and a half years.

"It's devastating to all employees at the mine and to all people in the mining industry," Mr Quadrio told ABC Radio.

"Nobody likes fatalities in the industry or any injury, in particular in the mining industry."

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20462860-5005941,00.html