The Carosue Dam gold mine in Western Australia, owned by Saracen Mineral Holdings, has confirmed it is resuming processing operations, and underground and open pit activity to follow, despite the death of a worker at the Dervish site on Monday morning.
Saracen has confirmed, in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), that the worker fell from a height, and all operations at the site were suspended immediately. The company also implemented a trading halt following the incident but will resume trading today.
It is understood that the hazards and control measures at the site are still under inspection and workplace safety audits are being undertaken to ensure the safety of workers resuming activity at the site.
The Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) are conducting a full investigation into the incident, and Saracen is cooperating fully with that investigation.
Managing Director, Raleigh Finlayson, said that “this is an extremely tragic accident and all our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time. The health and safety of our people is always our first priority.
“Saracen is currently working closely with the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) on the continuing investigation while working with our contract partners to ensure full support is provided to the family and all Saracen employees and contractors.”
DMIRS have confirmed that inspectors were at the site and were conducting a full investigation.
CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) released a comment, saying that the organisation is committed to eliminating fatalities.
“Our thoughts go to the families and friends of the worker, the worker’s colleagues and the members of the site’s emergency response team who have the harrowing task of recovering the worker,” Constable said.
“The Australian minerals industry’s priority is the safety and health of its workforce. The MCA will continue to assist the commitment of its members and that of the broader industry to an industry free of fatalities, injuries and industrial diseases.”