Monday, 22nd May 2006 (1516 views)

The union pushing for an inquiry into an accident at a Tasmanian gold mine has claimed it wants to see the mine stay operational.

Miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell were trapped underground for two weeks at the Beaconsfield mine earlier this month after a minor earthquake dislodged rocks.

The miners' union has been pushing for an inquiry into the rockfall and the testimony of the two miners, as well as the family of a third miner who died in the accident, will be heard as part of an independent probe.

Australian Workers' Union (AWU) national secretary Bill Shorten welcomed the probe but stressed that the inquiry is not a witch hunt, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. "We do want to see the mine open," he said.

The inquiry, which will be held behind closed doors, will investigate whether activities at the gold mine contributed to the accident.

Mr Shorten also said he thought the mine could be safely used in the future, although current methods would have to be updated.

 

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