Miners Urged To Become 'heroes'
The Age
Wednesday July 30, 2008
BEACONSFIELD goldmine's shift bosses were told just before the fatal Anzac Day rockfall that they had a great chance to make heroes of themselves, by hitting a production target.
Encouragement to greater production goals was confirmed at the inquest on miner Larry Knight, who died in the collapse. Yesterday's hearing sifted through mine documents, including records of the weekly shift boss meeting.Minutes taken five days before the rockfall noted that production for the mine was 3000 tonnes behind for the month. "Presents a wonderful opportunity to make heroes of ourselves in the next week," the minutes said.One supervisor, Gavan Cheesman, told the inquest that he believed, with the benefit of hindsight, that a lack of supporting mechanisms for the rock overhanging the ore body on the 925-metre level contributed to Mr Knight's death. The inquest is continuing. -- ANDREW DARBY
© 2008 The Age
