SYDNEY (Reuters) -Two workers were killed and another injured in an explosion at a recently reopened mine in Australia’s New South Wales state early on Tuesday, an incident the state’s premier called a “sobering reminder” of the industry’s dangers.
Emergency services were called to the remote mining town of Cobar, some 700 km (435 miles) northwest of Sydney, after being told people were critically injured in a workplace incident, police said.
Australian media reported the incident occurred at the Endeavor silver, zinc and lead mine, owned by Polymetals Resources Ltd.
Polymetals did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The mine has operated since 1982 but was closed for maintenance in 2020. Polymetals bought the site in 2023 and restarted mining operations this year, according to the company’s website.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said that although mining safety has greatly improved, the deaths show that the sector must never stop being vigilant about worker safety.
“This is a heartbreaking day for the Cobar community and will be felt across the entire mining industry,” Minns said in a statement.
(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
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