Report Released on Fatality at Austar Coal Mine

16 October 2024

The NSW Resources Regulator has released an investigation report following the death of contract worker Craig Hugo, who tragically fell into a decommissioned mine shaft at the Austar Coal Mine in Ellalong, Hunter Valley, on 17 September 2024. This report provides further details on the incident and highlights significant safety concerns at non-operational mine sites.

Incident Background

On 17 September 2024, Craig Hugo, a contractor in his late 50s, was working on closure-related activities at the decommissioned Austar Coal Mine, which ceased production in February 2020. He was preparing to attach steel plates to beams covering the number 2 shaft. Several sections of the steel plates had been removed, leaving gaps up to two metres long and 0.5 metres wide. Unfortunately, Hugo fell through one of these exposed sections and into the shaft.

Emergency services, including NSW Police Rescue, NSW Ambulance, and Fire and Rescue NSW, were quickly dispatched to the scene on Dry Creek Road, Ellalong. After extensive efforts, Hugo’s body was recovered from approximately 400 metres below the shaft entrance the following day.

In the days following the incident, the local community and the mining sector were deeply affected. Hugo’s family, including his son, Cooper, shared a touching tribute on social media. Condolences and messages of support for the family poured in from colleagues and friends, highlighting the impact Hugo had within the community.

Findings from the Resources Regulator

The newly released investigation report by the NSW Resources Regulator reveals crucial details about the incident and ongoing safety concerns at the decommissioned mine. It confirms that, at the time of the fall, Hugo was not using fall prevention or arrest equipment—standard safety measures that should have been in place.

The report identifies key areas under investigation, including:

Work planning and coordination: Investigators are assessing the effectiveness of planning and communication prior to the incident.
Supervision and training: The adequacy of supervision and whether workers had received proper training in safety procedures, especially when working at heights, is being examined.
Risk assessments and procedures: Investigators are reviewing whether the risk assessments, work instructions, and safety procedures followed were sufficient to prevent such an incident.

Safety Information and Recommendations

The report emphasises the importance of strict safety protocols at mine sites, especially during the decommissioning phase. Mine shafts and winding systems are classified as principal mining hazards, which carry significant risks of injury or death.

The NSW Resources Regulator reminds all mine operators and contractors of their obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013 to:

Provide adequate fall protection systems and safe working methods.
Ensure workers are properly trained and supervised when working at heights.
Implement and maintain effective safety measures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The report stresses that all workers must comply with safety policies and procedures, taking reasonable care for their own safety and that of their colleagues.

Hugo was a well-respected contractor and family man, deeply involved in the local mining community. His death raised concerns about safety practices at non-operational mine sites.

In the immediate aftermath, emergency services worked tirelessly to recover his body. The community, shocked by the loss, expressed its grief through heartfelt messages and tributes. Mining unions, including the Mining and Energy Union, called for renewed scrutiny of safety practices, with union leaders voicing their sorrow over losing a worker under such tragic circumstances.

Local MP Dan Repacholi also weighed in, calling for greater oversight of mine decommissioning processes to ensure worker safety. He stressed that worker wellbeing must always be the highest priority, particularly in high-risk environments like decommissioned mines.

Austar Coal Mine and its Legacy

The Austar Coal Mine, located about 10 kilometres from Cessnock, had ceased operations in 2020 but remains a site of concern due to its aging and decommissioned infrastructure, including hazardous mine shafts. Despite being inactive, the site still requires closure and rehabilitation works, during which this fatal accident occurred.

The ongoing investigation into the incident is expected to result in further safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. Yancoal, the mine’s operator, has expressed condolences to Hugo’s family and is cooperating fully with authorities during the investigation.

Next Steps

As the investigation continues, the NSW Resources Regulator will release more detailed findings. Mine operators across the state are encouraged to review their safety protocols, especially in non-operational sites where hazards remain. The lessons learned from this incident could lead to reforms in how decommissioning and closure works are managed in the future, ensuring that proper safety systems are in place to protect workers.