AN explosion at a coal mine run by Anglo American in Australia’s Queensland state has injured five people and halted production, said Reuters citing the UK-listed mining group.
Those hurt in the accident at Anglo’s Grosvenor metallurgical coal mine in central Queensland’s Bowen Basin have been transported to hospital, and all of their families have been contacted, said Anglo American in a statement.
“All remaining on site personnel have been accounted for. The mine is in the process of being evacuated and operations stopped,” it said.
“The mines inspectorate has been contacted and Anglo American is working to ensure the injured people have the best available medical care.”
Reuters cited the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) as saying that the patients suffered burns to their upper bodies and airways after the explosion and were taken to Moranbah Hospital in a critical condition.
Reuters also reported that two people died when an informal gold mine collapsed in western Liberia early on Tuesday. This was according to the National Disaster Management Agency, cited by the newswire.
The collapse happened in a mining hub in Grand Cape Mount County, said Assistant Mines Minister Emmanuel Swen and other government officials.
“Fourteen persons ranging from ages 20 to 28 visited a mine site overnight to illegally dig gravel believed to contain gold. Four of them were entrapped leaving 2 dead and 2 injured,” said Archievego Doe, a spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency.
Edwin Koha, the mayor of the county’s administrative centre, earlier told Reuters that around 50 people were missing following the incident. He told state radio that 60 people had been killed.
