RSHQ Safety Alert: Fatal Roof Fall Incident at Underground Coal Mine
Resources Safety & Health Queensland (RSHQ) recently published a Safety Alert following a tragic underground coal mine incident that has serious implications for safety risk management and strata control practices across the mining industry. The alert highlights a fatal roof fall that occurred at the Mammoth underground coal mine in Central Queensland on 2 January 2026, prompting renewed focus on ground control and support design.
What Happened
According to the RSHQ alert, the incident took place while a multi-bolter machine was being moved from a bolted face to the next work area. During this activity, a strata failure occurred and the roof collapsed above the bolted zone. The collapse resulted in fatal injuries to a coal mine worker who was handling the bolter cable at the time. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and further information may be released as it becomes available.
Key Learnings for the Industry
The alert underscores several important considerations for mine operators and safety leaders:
Review Roof Support Design
It is critical that strata support systems are designed and constructed based on accurate geological and geotechnical data for each specific site and area of operation. RSHQ urges underground operators to reassess their support design processes to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
Risk Mitigation and Principal Hazard Management Plans
Site Senior Executives (SSEs) and Underground Mine Managers must ensure that risks relating to ground and strata failure are appropriately mitigated. This includes reviewing the Principal Hazard Management Plan (PHMP) for ground or strata failure to confirm its effectiveness and ensuring resources are allocated to maintain risk at acceptable levels.
Take Learnings from Previous Alerts
RSHQ reminds industry stakeholders of prior Safety Alerts and bulletins related to strata control and roof support. These include alerts on support system failures and roof bolt integrity, which contain valuable insights that can help prevent future ground control issues.
Strata failures, including in outbye areas, have been linked to fatal outcomes in Queensland underground coal mines and must be reported and investigated thoroughly to support continuous improvement in safety performance.
Our Perspective
At SSE Co we recognise that ground control and strata support are complex but fundamental components of underground mining safety. A robust geotechnical strategy that incorporates detailed data, expert input, ongoing monitoring, and systematic review is essential to protect workers and maintain operational integrity. Safety Alerts like this serve as important reminders that even with controls in place, continuous vigilance and improvement are required.
Conclusion
The recent RSHQ Safety Alert following the fatal roof fall at the Mammoth underground coal mine reinforces the need for diligent design, implementation, and review of strata support systems. Mining organisations must act on these learnings with urgency and diligence, ensuring that risk mitigation strategies are comprehensive and aligned with site-specific conditions. By fostering a proactive safety culture and learning from every incident, the industry can better protect workers and reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies in the future.
