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Polymetals Resources (ASX:POL) is bringing employees back on-site at its Endeavor Mine in a staged restart, a week after a fatal blasting accident resulted in the tragic loss of Holly Clarke and Patrick “Ambrose” McMullen.
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Shift supervisor McMullen, 59, and charge-up operator Clarke, 24, lost their lives in an explosion on October 28. Mackenzie Stirling was also injured.
A little under a week later, the company is looking to restart mine operations, though there will be changes: Polymetals says it will run a “rigorous” review of its safety management relating to the handling and use of explosives.
There are already several investigations running, too, with the NSW Resources Regulator, NSW Police, and company-picked experts all looking into the incident. HotCopper understands the focal point of the reviews relates to a ballistic disc, which was being set up to release a stope hang-up.
“The area where the incident occurred remains under a statutory non-entry notice. The company is working with the regulator to manage access,” Polymetals said.
Rostered mining, maintenance, and processing employees have already returned to day shift work; the company will look to bring continuous shifts back over the next few weeks as Endeavor operations keep ramping up.
There will be no blasting activities at Endeavor until the company’s safety review and the three ongoing investigations are concluded, the company added.
“The considered and timely resumption of operations is essential to support our employees and their families,” Polymetals chairman David Sproule said.
“With great resolve, the board and I will continue to work alongside all staff. We will move past this accident and continue on our path to see the Endeavor Mine back online as the long-term operation we intend it to become.”
Mr Sproule also pledged they will “not rest until we understand what happened.”
POL shares have been -31% lower since the accidents.
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