Worker dies from accident at Roy Hill iron ore mine

The ABC has reported that a worker at Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill iron ore mine in Western Australia’s remote Pilbara has died due to serious injuries sustained at work.

The Roy Hill mine, located 115 km north of Newman and 340 km south east of Port Hedland, is the country’s largest privately owned mine.

NRW Holdings confirmed the man, who was an employee of its subsidiary DIAB Engineering, sustained serious injuries following an accident on the site early last Monday morning. The man was flown to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctor Service but died in hospital overnight.

Roy Hill stopped operations for at least 24 hours from 6 am on Tuesday following the fatality.

In a statement released to the ASX, NRW Holdings said it was “devastated by the loss”.

“[We] extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” the statement said. “NRW’s number one priority is the safety and well-being of our workforce. Support has been extended to the worker’s family and his colleagues.”

Two inspectors from the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety are travelling to the site as part of an investigation into the death, and a report is being prepared for the coroner.

The company has not disclosed the circumstances of the accident.

Image: Roy Hill