newy.com.au – A mine worker believed to be in his 50s has died after being struck by a truck at the United Wambo open-cut coal mine west of Singleton, prompting the suspension of mining operations and investigations by police and the NSW Resources Regulator.
Emergency services were called to the mine shortly after 1pm on Monday following reports of a crash. Police said the worker could not be revived and died at the scene.
The man had not been formally identified when police released details of the incident. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Glencore, which manages the United Wambo operation, described the death as a “mobile equipment incident” and suspended mining across the site while emergency services and investigators attended.
“Our sincere condolences go out to the worker’s family, friends and colleagues,” Glencore’s Australian coal business chief executive Peter Sharpe said.
“This is tragic news for our entire workforce. Our immediate focus is on providing support to the worker’s family and our employees.”
The NSW Resources Regulator is investigating the cause and circumstances of the fatality. A Mining and Energy Union safety officer also attended the mine, but no findings about how the incident occurred have been released.
Union Northern Mining and NSW Energy District president Robin Williams said the authorities needed time to conduct a thorough investigation.
“Every worker has the right to come home safely at the end of every shift,” he said. “Any workplace fatality is one too many.”
Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos extended the NSW Government’s condolences to the worker’s family, friends and colleagues.
“This is a heartbreaking day for the Upper Hunter community, and the loss will be felt across the NSW mining industry,” Ms Houssos said.
Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell said the death would affect the wider community because of the close connections between the region’s mines, workers and families.
“This is a tight-knit community and a lot of people will know that particular worker and be hurting,” he said.
The incident occurred as the NSW Minerals Council’s annual health, safety, environment and community conference began in the Hunter Valley. Council chief executive Stephen Galilee said the fatality highlighted the hazards faced by mine workers and the importance of workplace safety.
United Wambo began operating in 2020 and produces thermal and semi-soft metallurgical coal for export. Glencore reported that the operation produced more than 6.1 million tonnes of saleable coal and employed about 550 workers and contractors in 2025.
Glencore manages the 50:50 joint venture, which brings together United Collieries, owned by Glencore and the Mining and Energy Union, and Peabody’s Wambo Coal.
Vehicle interaction is a recognised major hazard at NSW mine sites. The Resources Regulator published detailed guidance in 2025 aimed at reducing collisions and other dangerous interactions involving mobile equipment, after raising concerns about the frequency of such incidents.
It has issued several safety alerts involving heavy vehicles during 2026, including a haul-truck rollover, a collision between a grader and front-end loader, and a near miss in which a haul truck stopped about 700 millimetres from an oncoming grader.
Those incidents were separate from Monday’s fatality. Investigators have not determined what caused the United Wambo incident or whether any safety controls failed.
