Metarock falls -10% as QLD regulator takes it to court over 2021 death of Graham Dawson – after raiding company offices

Metarock Group (ASX:MYE) has seen its shares fall -9.5% in the first hour of trades on Tuesday as QLD work safety takes its subsidiary to court.

The court case relates to the death of coal mine worker Graham Dawson in 2021, killed in a collapse – and comes not long after regulators raided Metarock’s offices last month. A second worker, Gavin Feltwell, died on-site a mine tied to the company in March of 2022.

Reports from August alleged Metarock was attempting to block the regulators access to over 10,000 documents as part of an investigation.

Charges have been laid against Metarock subsidiary Mastermyne Crinum Operations (MCO) on the back of its investigation – and raid – of Metarock.

“position. Because this matter is now before the Court, it is not appropriate for the Company to make further public comments about the incident until the conclusion of the legal proceedings,” the company wrote on Tuesday.

It added: “MCO is considering its position.”

Reports state members of the QLD regulator team told the court in previous interactions they were looking into potential offences. Dawson is reported to have been killed during a collapse just before midnight in September 3 years ago which also injured another worker.

Gavin Feltwell, meanwhile, died in a heavy haulage loading incident. Metarock has already been hit with another lawsuit late last year regarding Mr. Feltwelll.

The coal-heavy Mining & Energy Union wrote in 2023 “nothing will bring Gavin back to his family but it’s good to see employers being held to account.”

MYE last traded at 19cps.