Moura inquiry: warning signs existed

By Bill Mason

BRISBANE -- Coal miners at the Moura No 2 mine, which suffered an explosion on August 7 killing 11 workers, have given evidence to the mining warden's inquiry at Gladstone that warning signs were evident beforehand, similar to those at the previous explosion at the mine in 1986.

A graph showing build-up of potentially lethal gases had been plotted over a period before the disaster. Other mine deputies gave evidence that they smelled odours similar to those at the time of the 1986 tragedy days before the mine exploded this year.

Meanwhile, the state government has acted under strong public pressure to amend the archaic act which had prevented de facto wives of miners killed at Moura from suing their employer for damages.

However, the changes are not retrospective. Mine owner BHP has issued a statement saying the Moura de facto widows will be given equal treatment to married wives, but the lawyer for the women, Bob Brittan, has warned that the company's offer is not legally binding.

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