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Murdoch, Robert

Oberon Quarry, Oberon - Unauthorised (unlawful) mining and fail to comply with prohibition notice – executive liability.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of section 5 of Mining Act 1992.
Status/outcome
Guilty plea - Local Court. Robert Murdoch (a company director) was convicted and fined $80,000 for an executive liability offence under section 378F of the Act (in relation to the breach of section 5 by Mudgee Stone Co). Director was also placed on a community corrections order requiring good behaviour for two years. In relation to a previous prosecution under the Act against the director (in 2018), the court recalled a good behaviour bond imposed on him and imposed a conviction for the previous offence and a penalty of $20,000 for obstructing an inspector.
Further information

Incident: 27 October-13 November 2018 and 14 November-19 December 2018

Finalised

Muswellbrook Crane Services Pty Ltd

Kayuga Mine, Kayuga near Muswellbrook - Fatal injuries to worker crushed by trailer falling from crane.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of s8(1) Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000.
Status/outcome
Guilty plea - Convicted and fined $125,000 plus costs.
Further information

Industrial Court of NSW judgment: [2007] NSWIRComm 13

Finalised

NBH Resources Pty Ltd

Exploration lease EL8533 near Broken Hill - Breach of condition of authorisation by holder - unauthorised exploration drilling.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of section 378D of Mining Act 1992.
Status/outcome
Penalty notice issued 24 June 2019. Court elected hearing for penalty notice for contravention of Mining Act 1992. Broken Hill Local Court - Convicted and fined $6,000 and ordered to pay the Regulator’s costs.
Finalised

New England Antimony NL

New England Antimony Mine, Hillgrove near Armidale - Fatal injuries to worker struck by falling rock from roadworks.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of sections 15(1) and 16(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983.
Status/outcome
Convicted, fined $140,000 plus costs.
Further information

Industrial Court of NSW judgment: [2003] NSWIRComm 194

Finalised

Newcrest Mining Limited

Ridgeway Mine, Cadia near Orange - Fatal injuries to worker crushed by mobile plant from fall of material from a draw point.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of section 19(1) of Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
Status/outcome
Guilty plea - Convicted, fined $450,000 and ordered to pay the Regulator’s costs.
Further information

District Court of NSW judgment: [2018] NSWDC 370

Finalised

Newcrest Mining Limited

Cadia East Underground Gold Mine, Cadia near Orange - High risk inrush of material from raiseboring.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of section 8(1) of Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000.
Status/outcome
Guilty plea - Convicted, fined $112,500 and ordered to pay Regulator's costs.
Further information

District Court of NSW judgment: [2013] NSWDC 332

Finalised

North Mining Limited

Northparkes Mine, Parkes - Four fatalities from caving and airblast.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of sections 15(1) and 16(1) of Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983.
Status/outcome
Guilty plea - Convicted, fined $82,500 plus costs.
Further information

Industrial Court of NSW judgment: [2003] NSWIRComm 84

Finalised

NSW Quarry Services Pty Ltd

Bates Quarry near Kempsey - Failure to notify the Regulator of two notifiable incidents and a failure to preserve the incident scene.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of sections 15 and 17 of WHS (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act 2013 .
Status/outcome
Guilty plea - NSW Quarry Services Pty Ltd convicted, fined $30,000 and ordered to pay the Regulator’s costs of $25,000. Local court.
Finalised

Oakbridge Pty Limited

Baal Bone Colliery, Lithgow - Fatal injuries and second victim with serious injuries - fall of roof on longwall.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of sections 8(1) and 8(2) of Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000.
Status/outcome
Guilty plea - Convicted and fined $140,000.
Further information

Industrial Court of NSW judgment: [2008] NSWIRComm 85

Finalised

Oakbridge Pty Limited; The Newcastle Wallsend Coal Company Pty Ltd

Gretley Colliery, Wallsend - Inrush of water - four fatal drownings.

Date of incident
Decision date
Offence/allegation details
Contravention of sections 15(1), 16(1) and 50(1) of Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983.
Status/outcome
Convicted and fined $730,000 plus costs.
Further information

Industrial Court of NSW judgment: [2005] NSWIRComm 31

Finalised