The scene of the fatal Endeavour Mine explosion in Cobar, New South Wales on Tuesday morning. Tragically, two workers were killed and another seriously injured. The mine is located approximately 450 kilometers east of Broken Hill. Its production puts it as the second biggest out of Australia’s polymetallic core, with its active operation continuously producing zinc, silver, and lead.
The crash happened in the early morning hours, allowing for a particularly quick response from first responders. Two females were rescued, but the explosion took the life of a third woman. Sadly, despite being rescued from the water, one of the women passed away. The second woman, in her 20s, was flown at short notice to Cobar Airport. From there she was airlifted to Orange Health Service for ongoing care. Though still in serious but stable condition, she suffered shock and permanent hearing loss.
NSW Ambulance had issued warnings about her grave condition and critical condition, indicating just how serious her injuries were.
In a joint statement from NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos. They shared compassion and grief for their local mining community, touched by the tragedy, which moved almost everyone to share their condolences at this tragedy. They described it as a “sad day” for Cobar. This recognition allowed for an open and honest conversation about the emotional impact on all those in the mining community.
“The number one priority in any mine must be safety,” – Chris Minns and Courtney Houssos
Minns and Houssos further highlighted the significance of worker safety through their statement, noting that the deaths serve as a “sobering reminder of why we need to always remain vigilant to protect workers.” That no worker should have to worry if they will return home safely at the end of their shift.
National authorities have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident. Tony Callinan, head of the investigating team, assured that they would “leave no stone unturned in identifying what has occurred here.” The main priority will be determining what triggered the explosion and how safety measures can be strengthened to prevent a future tragedy.
