A 71-year-old worker remains in a critical condition at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital after a serious incident at Sojitz Blue’s Crinum underground coal mine in Central Queensland on Saturday, 12 September 2026.

Emergency services were called to the mine — located approximately 60 kilometres north-east of Emerald in the Bowen Basin — at around 10am after the incident unfolded in a sequence of events that investigators say should never have occurred.

What Happened

The worker was standing on the front bumper bar of a mine vehicle known as a drift runner in order to reach overhead pipework. As he tightened a pressurised clamp, the pipe assembly failed, releasing a blast of compressed air that created a sudden surge of dust and significantly reduced visibility underground.

The force of the blast caused the worker to fall from the front of the vehicle. In the confusion and reduced visibility, the operator of the drift runner then moved the vehicle — striking the fallen worker on the ground.

The man sustained significant chest, facial, arm and abdominal injuries and was airlifted to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma. Investigations are continuing.

Safety Alert Issued

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) issued an urgent safety alert following the incident, advising all workers and employers in the resources sector to strictly follow procedures when working on pressurised systems.

Key lessons from RSHQ’s alert include:

• Workers must never use mobile plant or vehicles as an improvised work platform
• Pressurised systems must be isolated and depressurised before any maintenance or adjustment work begins
• Exclusion zones must be established around pressurised systems during any maintenance activity
• Operators must confirm the area is clear before moving any vehicle, particularly in reduced-visibility environments
• Safe work procedures for pressurised systems should be reviewed and communicated to all relevant workers

A History of Serious Incidents at Crinum

The Crinum mine has been the subject of serious safety scrutiny in recent years. In March 2026, mining company Mastermyne Crinum Operations was found guilty of industrial manslaughter following the death of experienced underground miner Graham Dawson in 2021, when the roof of the mine collapsed and crushed him.

The latest incident is a stark reminder that even experienced workers in familiar environments can be seriously injured when standard operating procedures are not followed.

RSHQ is continuing its investigation. Any person with information relevant to the incident is encouraged to contact RSHQ directly.