Worker Dies at Tanami Gold Mine in Central Australia
A 47-year-old worker died on Wednesday afternoon following an incident at the Tanami gold mine in remote Central Australia. Newmont, the company that owns and operates the mine, confirmed the employee's death on Thursday, extending condolences to the individual's family, friends, and colleagues.
Emergency response procedures were immediately activated after the incident at the construction site. Relevant authorities were notified and are now attending the site. Newmont has stated its commitment to providing full support for the investigation into the incident.
Investigation Underway
The NT Police Force reported that the death was notified around 4 PM on Wednesday. Officers from Yuendumu attended the site and established a crime scene. Members from the Coronial Investigation Unit and Crime Scene Examination Unit are also on-site to assist with inquiries.
NT WorkSafe has initiated an inquiry into the incident.
Initial findings suggest a potential winch failure during a lift as a contributing factor.
Mine Operations Halted
All activities at the Tanami mine site, located 540 kilometers north-west of Alice Springs, have been suspended following the incident.
About the Tanami Gold Mine
The Tanami mine is one of Australia's largest underground gold mines, extending more than 1.7 kilometers underground. Situated in the remote Tanami Desert, the mine employs 1,800 fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers and produces approximately 400,000 ounces of gold annually.