Two miners reported missing at the Dugald River mine site near Cloncurry in north-west Queensland have been confirmed dead.
Dylan Langridge, 33, and Trevor Davis, 36, were operating a light utility vehicle near a stope – a large, cavernous space where ore is extracted – when the ground gave way, causing the men to plummet into a void on Wednesday morning.
Perenti, the parent company to mining contractor Barminco, employed the men.
The company's managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell said the outcome was devastating.
"I want to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Trevor and Dylan, both of whom should have come home safely from work yesterday."
Valued and respected team members
Mr Langridge joined Barminco in March 2020 as a truck operator at Savannah before joining the service crew at Dugald River later that year.
He continued to progress his career at Dugald River and in October 2021 took up the role of charge up operator.
Mr Davis joined Barminco in August 2020 as a shotcrete operator at Rosemont, before transferring to Dugald River as a charge up operator in November 2021.
Mr Norwell said both were valued team members and well respected across both sites and the wider Barminco team.
"Our immediate and ongoing focus is on providing support to the families, friends and colleagues of Trevor and Dylan," he said.
"Barminco has been operating at MMG's Dugald River mine since early 2012 with members of our workforce residing in the local area.
"This tragic incident is devastating and will have a lasting impact on not only the families and friends of Trevor and Dylan, but also on the workforce of Dugald River, the Cloncurry and Mount Isa communities and the entire Perenti workforce."
Dugald River general manager Tim Akroyd said everyone at the site was devastated by the tragic event.
"Our hearts and thoughts are with the family and friends at this time and we will provide all support that we can," he said.
"I'd like to sincerely thank everyone involved in the emergency response to this incident and the support we have received from community and authorities."
An investigation into the incident has started, in collaboration with Barminco and relevant authorities.
Mining operations remain suspended.
Outpouring of grief
The Cloncurry community had been anxiously waiting for news about the men.
Cloncurry Shire Council Mayor Greg Campbell earlier on Thursday said there was a high level of concern and anxiety in the community "because everyone knows somebody that works at a mine".
Mr Campbell this afternoon said he, with the Cloncurry community, "expresses our deepest condolences to the families of Dylan and Trevor".
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this tragic time. The flags at the community precinct will fly at half mast in respect of Dylan and Trevor," he said.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said it was a sad day for all involved.
"A tragedy like this affects a wide circle of people, but at the heart of it are two families who are dealing with a tremendous loss. Our hearts go out to them," he said.
Traeger MP Rob Katter said the state's north-west was grieving the loss of two workers.
"Regardless of where they come from, they died in our country, and for a tight knit community like Cloncurry, this has a deep impact," he said.
"We should all consider the family, friends and work mates of these two blokes and keep them in our prayers."
Multiple investigations expected
University of Queensland mining expert David Cliff said several investigations would most likely be carried out over the course of months.
"I think the fact that we continue to have fatalities in general in our mining industry indicates a need for greater vigils," he said.
"There will be an investigation by the Resource Safety and Health Queensland.
"Because there have been fatalities, there will be a coroner's investigation as well.
"I'd imagine there might even be a higher level commission inquiry, so there are a number of inquiries and investigations with a potential prosecution," he said.
Resource Safety and Health Queensland, which will lead the initial investigation, said mining inspectors had been involved in the emergency response and an investigation was underway to understand how the incident had occurred.
Emergency response activated Wednesday morning
The vehicle Mr Langridge and Mr Davis were in fell down the void about 100 metres below the surface in the underground zinc mine, owned by MMG Limited.
A drilling rig behind the utility also fell into the void, but the operator was able to escape and was later rescued before being treated for minor injuries.
An emergency call was received by the mine at 8:45am on Wednesday and the mine's emergency procedures were activated.
Drones were used to investigate the stability of the site before rescue crews were deployed to start removing debris near the fallen utility on Thursday afternoon.
