A miner who died in an underground cave-in at a Ballarat mine has been identified.
Kurt Hourigan, 37, was trapped underground following a collapse at the Ballarat gold mine on Wednesday night.
His body was recovered from the mine around 6 a.m. on Thursday.
‘I still can’t believe you’re gone. I have always looked up to you,” Reece Hourigan shared in a social media post on Thursday.
‘Thank you for all the good and bad memories we shared together. I love you so much brother.”
Australian Workers Union Victoria state secretary Ronnie Hayden said it was devastating that another worker had lost his life after some workers previously raised concerns about the mine.
“It seems to be falling on deaf ears,” he said.
The two workers carried out a manual mining operation called air laying, which involved drilling into a rock to create a tunnel, Mr Hayden said.
“Working on unsupported ground, they captured both miners and killed one,” he said.
Mr Hayden said air-laying was not suitable for the area.
“This form of air-laying should not be used for this type of work,” he said.
“This was a quick, cheap and easy way to hunt for gold.”
Prime Minister Jacinta Allan described the collapse as a terrible accident.
“If advice comes forward that could strengthen the laws, we stand ready to do that work and support workers in every sector who deserve the right to get home safely from work every day to their families and loved ones.” , she told reporters. .
Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King also said it was too early to have a good idea of what caused the incident.
Mining operations have been halted as police work with the workplace regulator to investigate the incident and prepare a report for the coroner, Acting Inspector Lisa MacDougall said.
The mine’s owner, Victory Minerals, said its emergency response team was working closely with Victoria Police and focused on supporting affected workers.
“Our absolute priority is to support the well-being of our team members and their families and loved ones as we all cope with this tragic news,” the statement said.
The company took operational control of the Ballarat gold mine in December 2023.
Tania Constable, CEO of the Minerals Council of Australia, said safety is the most important issue facing the industry.
“This tragic event reminds us of the need to always put safety above all else,” she said.
The mine’s website states that it has an extensive network of tunnels and operates deep beneath buildings, streets and homes.
Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson said the miner’s death was devastating news.
“We are a very resilient community,” he said.
‘There will be great concern and support from the local community for those involved.’
In 2007, 27 miners were trapped underground in the mine for several hours before being rescued.
The suburb of Mount Clear was also the focus of the search for mother-of-three Samantha Murphy, who police allege was murdered by 22-year-old Patrick Orren Stephenson.