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Coronado faces charges over Curragh coal miner’s death

Mining company Coronado, its contractor Thiess and a site executive were facing fines of up top $2 million after they were charged in relation to the death of Donald Rabbitt at the Curragh mine in central Queensland last year.

May 11, 2021, updated May 11, 2021
Donald Rabbitt was killed at the Curragh mine in 2020

Donald Rabbitt was killed at the Curragh mine in 2020

The independent Work Health and Safety Prosecutor Aaron Guilfoyle has commenced prosecutions in the Emerald Magistrates Court this morning. They will be mentioned on July 6.

Guilfoyle has charged the operator Coronado Curragh Pty Ltd with one offence under s.34 of the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999, alleging that operator had failed to discharge an obligation under s.41(1)(a) of the Act to ensure the risk to coal mine workers was at an acceptable level.  The maximum penalty for the offence is a $2 million fine.

He said Thiess Pty Ltd and a site executive who was not named had also been charged with an offence for failing to discharge an obligation under the Act. The maximum penalty for an individual was is a fine of $2 million or 2 years’ imprisonment.

Rabbitt, 33, a contracted tyre fitter, was minutes from the end of his shift in the maintenance department in January 2o2o when he was trapped under a piece of heavy machinery.

He died at the scene.

The charges were filed by the independent prosecutor against Coronado subsidiary and operator of the mine, Coronado Curragh Pty Ltd.

Coronado said this morning that the safety of its people was its most important priority and it was committed to working hard to create an injury free workplace.

“We acknowledge the significant impact this incident has had on Donald’s family and loved ones and we again express our deepest sympathies to Donald’s family and co-workers,” Coronado said.

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The company said it was reviewing the charges and it was inappropriate to comment further.

 

 

 

 

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