A mining company has been charged with breaching health and safety obligations that allegedly resulted in the death of a worker at its central Queensland coal mine.
Clark Peadon, 54, died at the Curragh mine, north of Blackwater on November 21, 2021 when he was crushed by a dragline shoe.
Mr Peadon was a resident of The Caves, a rural fire service volunteer, and an experienced dragline operator who had worked at the open-cut mine since 2006.
Coronado Global Resources’ subsidiary Coronado Curragh has been charged with failing to meet its obligation to keep workers safe.
In a statement to the ASX on Thursday, the company said the safety of its workers was its most important priority and it was committed to an injury-free workplace.
“We acknowledge the significant impact this incident has had on Clark’s family and we again express our deepest sympathies to Clark’s family and his co-workers,” the statement said.
Mining company Coronado Curragh has been charged with breaching its safety obligation to workers. (ABC News: Jemima Burt)
The Mining and Energy Union has welcomed the charges.
“While some time has passed since his death, the pain felt by Clark’s family and friends persists,” general vice-president Steve Smyth said.
Mr Smyth said anyone who knew Mr Peadon “absolutely loved” him.
“Even with today’s announcement … it’s certainly brought back some sad feelings for his workmates and they again are unfortunately reliving it with the loss of his life.”
Mr Smyth said while the proceedings were unlikely to bring closure for his family, he hoped there would be some answers as to why he lost his life in the workplace.
“We owe it to Clark and his loved ones to do everything in our power to achieve justice and accountability for his death.”
Goondiwindi man Donald Rabbit was killed at the same mine site in January 2020 when he was trapped under heavy machinery.
Coronado Curragh said it was reviewing the charges but, as the matter was before the court, would not comment further.
The case will be heard for the first time in the Blackwater Magistrates Court on January 25, 2025.
