The two employees had been reported lacking after a 30-tonne drill rig fell 25 metres down right into a pit on the Dugald River mine close to Cloncurry, about an hour outdoors of Mount Isa.
9News understands the drill rig was being manned by a employee who additionally fell into the pit and was injured.
While the employee was on the backside of the pit, colleagues seen a white ute that was solely barely seen buried beneath rock and particles.
It is the 2 employees who’re linked to that ute who’re believed to be lacking.
Repeated makes an attempt to contact the employees through radio have to this point failed.
A serious operation is underway to clear the rock and soil, nonetheless the method may take hours.
Emergency companies have arrived on scene, together with paramedics.
Queensland Ambulance described the incident as a “ground collapse”.
The proprietor of the mine, MMG, mentioned two Barminco workers working on the web site had been “involved in an incident and currently remain unaccounted for”.
“The site’s emergency response has been activated and is working closely with Barminco and authorities to assist in search and rescue efforts,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement.
“Operations at Dugald River have been halted while the search is underway.
“MMG has prolonged all obtainable assets and help to Barminco and the Dugald River mine.”
Barminco, which employs the workers, is an underground mining company.
The Dugald River mine predominantly produces zinc concentrate, with byproducts including lead and silver.
The operation employs round 500 workers and contractors on a mixture of fly-in, fly-out and native residential foundation.
Source: www.9news.com.au
