Major Coal Mining Disasters in Australia
Mining accidents that claimed only a few lives are not mentioned in the following paragraphs:
1975-1994: Three mining disasters occurred between 1975 and 1994 in Moura Mine, Queensland. On 20 September 1975 a gas explosion killed 13 miners. On 16 July 1986 another gas explosion killed twelve miners. The last disaster occurred on 7 August 1994 when 11 miners were killed due to gas explosion. After the last accident the mine was converted to an open cut mine.
1972: The Box Flat Mine disaster happened on 31 July 1972, at Swanbank, Ipswich, Queensland. 17 people lost their lives due to an underground gas explosion. The disaster occurred only three years after the mine was opened. After the disaster the mine was closed.
1921: The Mount Mulligan Mine disaster is the third worst mining accident in Australia. It occurred on 19 September 1921, in north Queensland. 75 people lost their lives due to gas explosion. The coal dust was ignited by flame torches that were used back then. Safety lamps should have been used instead.
1902: The Mount Kembla Mine disaster was considered to be the worst peace-time accident in Australian history before the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria. It occurred on 31 July 1902, at City of Wollongong, New South Wales. The gas explosion claimed the lives of 96 workers. The gas and coal dust was ignited by flame torches that were used by miners back then.
