PARTS of BHP Billiton’s Perseverance nickel mine in Western Australia closed after a rock fall on 29 June 2009, the second at that mine in three weeks.
According to BHP Billiton, one worker was trapped underground for around 2 hours, while another miner was injured. For some time, all underground operations were closed, but most of the mine has since reopened.
On 11 June, another rockfall trapped a worker, who was rescued without injury.
The Department of Mines and Petroleum sent an inspector to the site. A prohibition notice is currently in place for the affected part of the site.
According to the WA Minister for Mines Norman Moore, the government is considering if part of the mining operations should be closed.
Minister Moore says he is not satisfied with the safety performance of the mine, and will be getting advice from the State Mining Engineer about whether the mine should remain open.
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