Preliminary report released
Peak Downs fatality was at night and involved a light vehicle and haul truck.
Operations are still paused at BMA’s Bowen Basin mines as investigations continue into the death of Thiess contractor Andreas Loizou at the Peak Downs mine on Friday.
The incident occurred at the Peak Downs coal mine at approximately 4:38 am when a work ute operating on the haul circuit collided with a haul truck.
“The passenger of the light vehicle died, and the driver of the light vehicle was injured and taken to hospital for treatment,” Resource Safety and Health Queensland said in its preliminary report.
“The driver of the haul truck was uninjured.”
“Investigations are in their early stages, so details of how the incident occurred are still being confirmed.”
RSHQ said this was the fourth death on a Queensland mine this year, and the 25th in the past 10 years. It is the first fatal incident at Peak Downs mine since 1986.
The name of the miner killed was released by his employer Thiess shortly after the incident.
“Early this morning, there was an incident at the Peak Downs Mine that resulted in the passing of one of our team members, Andreas Loizou, who is being named with the permission of his family and loved ones,” they said on Friday.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Andreas’ family, loved ones, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.
“Our thoughts are also with the tight-knit Bowen Basin mining community and the mining industry more broadly.
“Safety and wellbeing remain our highest priority, and our immediate focus is supporting those impacted by the incident. We ask that their privacy be respected.
Investigations are ongoing.