Mining is a dangerous job, and over the years, many miners have tragically lost their lives. Here, we recount some of the most significant mining disasters in Australia. These events serve as a solemn reminder of the dangers faced by miners and the lasting impact on their families, friends and work mates.
Remembering Those Who Didn’t Make It Home
- Pike River Mine Disaster – November 19, 2010: Though this disaster occurred in New Zealand, it involved Australian miners. A series of methane explosions at the Pike River coal mine killed 29 men, including Australians.
- Beaconsfield Mine Collapse – April 25, 2006: A rockfall in the Beaconsfield gold mine in Tasmania trapped two miners for two weeks and killed one miner.
- Gretley Mine Disaster – November 14, 1996: A flood in the Gretley coal mine in New South Wales led to the deaths of 4 miners.
- Moura No. 2 Mine Disaster – August 7, 1994: An explosion at the Moura coal mine in Queensland resulted in the deaths of 11 miners.
- Moura No. 4 Mine Disaster – July 16, 1986: A gas explosion at the Moura No. 4 coal mine in Queensland killed 12 miners.
- Appin Coal Mine Disaster – July 24, 1979: A methane gas explosion at the Appin coal mine in New South Wales killed 14 miners.
- Box Flat Mine Disaster – July 31, 1972: An explosion at the Box Flat coal mine in Queensland resulted in 17 fatalities, including miners and rescue workers.
- Bullfinch Mine Disaster – August 6, 1966: A fire at the Bullfinch gold mine in Western Australia resulted in 9 deaths.
- Mount Isa Mine Disaster – June 30, 1964: An explosion at the Mount Isa copper mine in Queensland killed 4 miners.
- Bendigo Central Deborah Mine Disaster – March 3, 1959: A fire at the Central Deborah gold mine in Victoria killed 4 miners.
- Collie Mine Explosion – August 15, 1950: A gas explosion at the Collie coal mine in Western Australia killed 9 miners.
- New Occidental Gold Mine Disaster – December 6, 1940: A fire at the New Occidental gold mine in New South Wales killed 5 miners.
- Balmain Colliery Disaster – March 20, 1945: An explosion at the Balmain Colliery in New South Wales killed 2 miners.
- Port Kembla Copper Mine Disaster – November 15, 1934: An explosion at the Port Kembla copper mine in New South Wales killed 4 miners.
- North Gresford Colliery Disaster – February 5, 1937: An explosion at the North Gresford colliery in New South Wales killed 4 miners.
- Wonthaggi Mine Disaster – February 15, 1937: A gas explosion at the Wonthaggi coal mine in Victoria killed 13 miners.
- South Goulburn Island Mine Disaster – November 2, 1925: An explosion at the South Goulburn Island mine in Northern Territory killed 5 miners.
- Mount Morgan Mine Disaster – September 21, 1925: A fire at the Mount Morgan gold mine in Queensland killed 10 miners.
- Cessnock No. 2 Colliery Disaster – December 29, 1923: A gas explosion at the Cessnock No. 2 Colliery in New South Wales killed 21 miners.
- Mount Mulligan Mine Disaster – September 19, 1921: An explosion at the Mount Mulligan coal mine in Queensland killed 75 miners.
- Newcastle Coal Mines Disaster – December 23, 1911: An explosion at the Newcastle coal mines in New South Wales resulted in 11 deaths.
- Eaglehawk Mine Disaster – December 9, 1913: An explosion at the Eaglehawk mine in New South Wales killed 7 miners.
- White Island Mine Disaster – August 17, 1914: An explosion at the White Island mine in New South Wales killed 4 miners.
- Ben Bullen Mine Disaster – October 19, 1916: An explosion at the Ben Bullen mine in New South Wales killed 5 miners.
- Stanwell Park Mine Disaster – January 10, 1909: A fire at the Stanwell Park mine in New South Wales killed 5 miners.
- Mount Kembla Mine Disaster – July 31, 1902: An explosion at the Mount Kembla coal mine in New South Wales resulted in the deaths of 96 miners and rescuers.
- Mount Morgan Mine Disaster – October 10, 1902: A fire at the Mount Morgan gold mine in Queensland killed 6 miners.
- Alison Colliery Disaster – February 27, 1889: An explosion at the Alison Colliery in New South Wales killed 11 miners.
- Wickham and Bulli Colliery Disaster – August 21, 1894: An explosion at the Wickham and Bulli colliery in New South Wales killed 11 miners.
- Mount Lyell Mine Disaster – October 12, 1912: A fire in the North Mount Lyell copper mine in Tasmania killed 42 miners.
- Great Cobar Mine Disaster – June 9, 1914: An explosion at the Great Cobar mine in New South Wales killed 4 miners.
- Mount Jowitt Mine Disaster – March 27, 1945: An explosion at the Mount Jowitt gold mine in Western Australia killed 3 miners.
- Aberdare Colliery Explosion – December 21, 1926: An explosion at the Aberdare Colliery in New South Wales resulted in the deaths of 9 miners.
- Mount Keira Mine Explosion – July 11, 1908: An explosion at the Mount Keira coal mine in New South Wales resulted in 7 deaths.
- Bulli Mine Disaster – March 23, 1887: An explosion at the Bulli coal mine in New South Wales killed 81 miners.
- Lithgow Valley Colliery Disaster – March 12, 1886: An explosion at the Lithgow Valley colliery in New South Wales killed 12 miners.
R.I.P. Your Shift Is Over
By remembering these events, we honour those who died and the families who were left behind.