Mine disasters: the need for planning partnerships between mine operators and local community emergency planning committees

In contemporary Australia mine disasters involving miners trapped underground are not common. However, experience from recent mine disasters in Australia and overseas show that when underground entrapments do occur they create a range of issues for the mine and local community to manage. The emergency response will therefore include participation of multiple emergency services with specialist support potentially coming from across the globe. Significant issues management and logistical challenges will arise. As a result the participation of local, state and national governments will be required. For the majority of mines the range and scale of issues are beyond the scope of their internal emergency plan. As a result emergency management arrangements within the jurisdiction in which the mine operates will need to be activated to enable effective coordination. Joint pre-planning between the mine operator and the local community's emergency planning committee will contribute to ensuring the conduct of an effective emergency operation. This article recommends actions mine operators should take to build a strong partnership with their Local Emergency Management Committee.