Senior leaders from across Queensland’s coal mining sector recently came together for a landmark tripartite forum to review and learn from a high potential incident at Anglo American’s Moranbah North steelmaking coal mine.

The incident, which occurred on March 31, involved an underground explosion that triggered dangerously high carbon monoxide levels, forcing the evacuation of all workers with no injuries reported.

Chaired by the acting commissioner for Resources Safety and Health, Ken Singer, the forum marked the first of its kind in Queensland, with representatives from Anglo American and the Mining and Energy Union, site safety and health officials, and government mine inspectors among those present.

“This is the first time a tripartite forum like this has been held in Queensland to investigate a high potential incident,” Singer said. “[It] has set a benchmark for industry collaboration and transparency into the future.”

Held in April and June, the two-part forum provided a platform for discussions aimed at uncovering the root causes of the incident and identifying industry-wide improvements.

One key outcome was the creation of a documented pathway to allow safe recommencement of operations at Moranbah North.

Singer emphasised the value of the gathering in fostering a culture of safety, and also appreciated the opportunity to facilitate a forum that included tripartite contribution into the investigation process.

“In tripartite forums we are more likely to really dig into the issues, and more likely to recommend changes that reduce the likelihood of a similar event occurring in the future,” he said.

He commended Anglo American for its commitment to open dialogue and for making its section 201 investigation report available to the wider industry, further supporting ongoing safety improvements.