Key points
- Two missing miners have been found dead after an underground zinc mine collapse.
- Investigators used drone technology to search for miners Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis.
- The miners were believed to be driving a light vehicle when the collapse happened 125 metres underground.
The bodies of two missing miners have been found after an underground zinc mine collapse in northern Queensland.
The bodies of missing mine workers Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis have been found.
Investigators had been using drone technology to search for Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis, who went missing after a light vehicle and a drill rig fell into a void at the Dugald River mine near Cloncurry on Wednesday.
Another worker on the drill rig survived.
“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 Mark Norwell, the chief executive of Perenti, the parent company of mine operator MMG.
The company said Langridge and Davis, hired by mining contractor company Barminco, were valued team members and well respected in the mining community.
The incident happened about 125 metres below the surface.
“The drill rig operator was rescued and received medical treatment for minor injuries,” Perenti said in a statement.
“Tragically, through the rescue effort it has been confirmed that the two other Barminco employees, Trevor Davis and Dylan Langridge, were fatally injured.”
Langridge, 33, had joined Barminco in March 2020 as a truck operator and moved to Dugald River later that year.
Davis, 36, joined the company in August 2020, as a shotcrete operator before transferring to Dugald River in November 2021.
“The rescue operation has now sadly completed,” Norwell said.
“Our primary focus is that of support for the families and colleagues of Trevor and Dylan and in parallel completing a comprehensive investigation.
“We would like to thank everyone who worked tirelessly under very challenging conditions in the recovery of Trevor and Dylan.”
Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the incident was an “absolute tragedy”.
“It should never have happened,” he said.
“The loss of a life in any workplace at any time is not acceptable. Families should be able to expect that when their loved ones depart for work that they return safely.”
He said inspectors from Resources Safety Queensland were thoroughly investigating the site of the collapse.
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