Two missing Australian zinc mine workers found dead (updated)

Perenti

16/02/2023 07:21

(Updates with death toll and rescue details, pars 3-7)
       SYDNEY, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Australian mining services
provider Perenti Ltd  PRN.AX  said on Thursday that two missing
mine workers had been found dead after falling down a hole at
MMG Ltd's  1208.HK  zinc mine in Queensland state.
    China's MMG on Wednesday halted operations at the
underground mine after two people employed by contractor
Barminco, owned by Perenti, fell down a hole that authorities
said had happened because of a "ground collapse."
    Rescuers confirmed Trevor Davis, 36, and Dylan Langridge,
33, were fatally injured after falling about 15 metres in a
previously backfilled area, Perenti said in a statement on
Thursday.
        A third employee was rescued with minor injuries. 
  
    Earlier on Thursday, a rescue team using drones and heavy
underground mining equipment found the vehicle Davis and
Langridge had been using.
    "This is a devastating outcome and 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," said Perenti
chief executive Mark Norwell.
        Perenti will work with MMG and Queensland state
authorities to investigate how the accident happened and what
additional safeguards are needed, Norwell added.
  
 (Reporting by Renju Jose and Lewis Jackson; 
Editing by Sandra Maler and Gerry Doyle)
 ((renju.jose@thomsonreuters.com; +61 29171 7126;))