Pay Relief for Workers After Blaze Shuts Coal Mine

Workers facing an uncertain future after an underground coal mine fire erupted will continue to be paid until the end of August. Operators of central Queensland’s Grosvenor mine said on July 5 they were considering redeploying staff to other sites to reduce anxiety created by the blaze. Authorities have continued to seal ventilation shafts as they battle the Moranbah mine fire which started when methane gas ignited at the weekend. No one was injured at Queensland’s largest underground coal mine operated by Anglo American. However, the site—which has 1400 workers—is expected to be closed for months. In a bid to ease uncertainty, Anglo on July 5 said workers would continue to be paid until August 31....