NSW safety body flags rise in reported mine incidents

The NSW Resources Regulator has reported a lift in incident notifications across the state’s mining sector, signalling renewed pressure on operators to tighten controls around high-risk activities.

The regulator’s quarterly safety report for July to September 2025 logged 596 incident notifications – an 18 per cent rise on the previous quarter and 1 per cent higher than the same period last year.

While the quarter included one non-work-related fatality, the data shows continued exposure to principal hazards, particularly vehicle operating areas and fire or explosion risks.

Although coal mines generated the largest share of reports, rising to 412 incidents from 373, metalliferous mines recorded the steepest proportional increase, jumping to 128 from 93, while extractives mines climbed to 55 from 35. Opal mines were the only sector to record zero incidents, down from one.

Among the incidents, the regulator identified 116 linked to fire or explosion hazards, and 76 to hazards involving roads or other vehicle operating areas.

Across the quarter, operators reported 29 serious injuries or illnesses, 96 dangerous incidents, 82 potentially dangerous incidents and 188 other high-potential events. A further 40 medical treatment cases and 159 lost-time or restricted-duty injuries or illnesses were notified.

Regulatory activity also intensified within the three month period. Assessments jumped 27 per cent to 1175, driven mainly by coal, metalliferous and extractives operations. Safety notices eased slightly from 710 to 707, with s191 improvement notices making up almost two-thirds (447) of all actions taken.