Discussions between authorities and South32 over a ventilation fan failure at its Illawarra Coal-run Appin mine are continuing.
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Staff from the NSW Resources Regulator inspected the underground mine on Thursday, amid ongoing talks with South32 representatives about the incident.
A Department of Industry spokeswoman said the staff completed a review of the mine’s risk controls and the regulator was “assessing this and other information that has been provided to it”.
The regulator issued South32 a prohibition notice on October 26, after “an incident at the mine where methane gas levels exceeded legislated limits”.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said the gas level reached a near-explosive reading.
The notice has since been revised to allow a limited number of staff to go underground for “essential duties”.
“The prohibition notice will remain in place until the regulator has completed its review and is satisfied that methane gas risks are being appropriately managed,” the spokeswoman said.