List of environmental accidents in the fossil fuel industry in Australia

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This is a list of industrial accidents and incidents that have resulted in environmental damage and/or has resulted in death or major injury that have occurred within the fossil fuel industry in Australia, in either the extraction, mining, processing or transporting phases.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mining</span> Extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth

Mining is the extraction of valuable geological materials from the Earth and other astronomical objects. Mining is required to obtain most materials that cannot be grown through agricultural processes, or feasibly created artificially in a laboratory or factory. Ores recovered by mining include metals, coal, oil shale, gemstones, limestone, chalk, dimension stone, rock salt, potash, gravel, and clay. Ore must be a rock or mineral that contains valuable constituent, can be extracted or mined and sold for profit. including a valuable mineral Mining in a wider sense includes extraction of any non-renewable resource such as petroleum, natural gas, or even water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coal mining</span> Process of getting coal out of the ground

Coal mining is the process of extracting coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United Kingdom and South Africa, a coal mine and its structures are a colliery, a coal mine is called a 'pit', and the above-ground structures are a 'pit head'. In Australia, "colliery" generally refers to an underground coal mine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackwater, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Blackwater is a rural town and locality in the Central Highlands Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Blackwater had a population of 4,702 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coalbed methane</span> Form of natural gas extracted from coal beds

Coalbed methane, coalbed gas, coal seam gas (CSG), or coal-mine methane (CMM) is a form of natural gas extracted from coal beds. In recent decades it has become an important source of energy in United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

A mining accident is an accident that occurs during the process of mining minerals or metals. Thousands of miners die from mining accidents each year, especially from underground coal mining, although accidents also occur in hard rock mining. Coal mining is considered much more hazardous than hard rock mining due to flat-lying rock strata, generally incompetent rock, the presence of methane gas, and coal dust. Most of the deaths these days occur in developing countries, and rural parts of developed countries where safety measures are not practiced as fully. A mining disaster is an incident where there are five or more fatalities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Queensland</span> Region in Queensland, Australia

Central Queensland is an imprecisely-defined geographical division of Queensland that centres on the eastern coast, around the Tropic of Capricorn. Its major regional centre is Rockhampton. The region extends from the Capricorn Coast west to the Central Highlands at Emerald, north to the Mackay Regional Council southern boundary, and south to Gladstone. The region is also known as Capricornia. It is one of Australia's main coal exporting regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moura, Queensland</span> Town in Queensland, Australia

Moura is a small town and locality in the Shire of Banana in Central Queensland, Australia. It services the surrounding coal mining and rural activities. It is situated approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) west of Biloela on the Dawson Highway, 186 kilometres (116 mi) west of the port city of Gladstone, and 171 kilometres (106 mi) south west of Rockhampton. As of the 2021 census, the locality of Moura had a population of 1,993 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massey Energy</span>

Massey Energy Company was a coal extractor in the United States with substantial operations in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia. By revenue, it was the fourth largest producer of coal in the United States and the largest coal producer in Central Appalachia. By coal production weight, it was the sixth largest producer of coal in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mining in Australia</span> Overview of mining in Australia

Mining in Australia has long been a significant primary sector industry and contributor to the Australian economy by providing export income, royalty payments and employment. Historically, mining booms have also encouraged population growth via immigration to Australia, particularly the gold rushes of the 1850s. Many different ores, gems and minerals have been mined in the past and a wide variety are still mined throughout the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mining in Western Australia</span> Major component of the economy of Western Australia

Mining in Western Australia, together with the petroleum industry in the state, accounted for 94% of the State's and 46% of Australia's income from total merchandise exports in 2019–20. The state of Western Australia hosted 123 predominantly higher value and export-oriented mining projects and hundreds of smaller quarries and mines. The principal projects produced more than 99 per cent of the industry's total sales value.

A warden's court is a special court established to deal with disputes relating to mining and mineral tenements. It is presided over by a mining warden. Historically all Australian states had warden's courts, which were established in the late 19th century during the Australian gold rushes. However, in several states the position of mining warden has been abolished or had its powers reduced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy in Queensland</span> Overview of the production, consumption, import and export of energy and electricity in Queensland

Queensland's energy policy is based on the year 2000 document called the Queensland Energy Policy: A Cleaner Energy Strategy. The Queensland Government assists energy development through the Department of Energy and Water Supply. The state is noted for its significant contribution to coal mining in Australia. The primary fuel for electricity generation in the state is coal with coal seam gas becoming a significant fuel source. Queensland has 98% of Australia's reserves of coal seam gas. An expansion of energy-intensive industries such as mining, economic growth and population growth have created increased demand for energy in Queensland.

Mining in the United States has been active since the beginning of colonial times, but became a major industry in the 19th century with a number of new mineral discoveries causing a series of mining rushes. In 2015, the value of coal, metals, and industrial minerals mined in the United States was US $109.6 billion. 158,000 workers were directly employed by the mining industry.

The Central Norseman gold mine is located at Norseman, Western Australia. Norseman lies at the southern end of the Norseman-Wiluna Greenstone Belt, in the Eastern Goldfields Province of the Yilgarn Block, Western Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fatality statistics in the Western Australian mining industry</span>

Fatality statistics in the Western Australian mining industry captures the number of people killed in the industry in the Australian state of Western Australia. During the period 2000-2012 (inclusive), a total of 52 fatalities occurred. In 2006, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia commissioned a taxonomic study to analyse the 306 mining fatalities which occurred between 1970 and 2006. The Department of Mines and Petroleum, later renamed the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, the governing authority for the industry in the state, has published statistics for fatalities in mining dating back to 1943 and intends to publish statistics dating back to 1886, though early records are not expected to be exhaustive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy accidents</span>

Energy resources bring with them great social and economic promise, providing financial growth for communities and energy services for local economies. However, the infrastructure which delivers energy services can break down in an energy accident, sometimes causing considerable damage. Energy fatalities can occur, and with many systems deaths will happen often, even when the systems are working as intended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collinsville Cemetery, Queensland</span> Heritage-listed cemetery in Australia

Collinsville Cemetery is a heritage-listed cemetery at Collinsville-Scottville Road, Collinsville, Whitsunday Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built from 1927 onwards. It is also known as Collinsville-Scottville Cemetery. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 18 September 2009.

The Collinsville mine disaster on 13 October 1954 resulted in the death of seven men at the Collinsville coal mine in Collinsville, Queensland, Australia.

Fossil fuel regulations are part of the energy policy in the United States and have gained major significance with the nation's strong dependence on fossil fuel-based energy. Regulatory processes are established at the federal and state level due to the immense economic, socio-political and environmental impact of fossil fuel extraction and production. Over 80% of the United States' energy comes from fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. The Bush administration was marked by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which provided a monetary incentive for renewable energy adoption and addressed the issue of climate change. The Obama administration was made up of advocates for renewable energy and natural gas, while Donald Trump built his campaign on promises to revive the coal industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mining in Asia</span>

Asia is rich in mineral resources due to unique geographical conditions. The main minerals are petroleum, coal, iron, manganese, tin, tungsten, antimony, copper, lead, zinc, aluminum, gold, silver, mica and precious stone.

References

  1. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Oceanic Grandeur, Torres Strait, 3 March 1970 Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  2. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Sygna, Newcastle, 26 May 1974 Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  3. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Princess Anne Marie, offshore Western Australia, 14 July 1975 Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  4. ↑ Moura inquiries Kianga No 1, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government, 13/12/2010. Accessed 20/3/2014
  5. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, World Encouragement, Botany Bay, September 1979 Archived 2014-03-19 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  6. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Esso Gippsland oil pollution incident, Port Stanvac, 22 January 1982 Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  7. ↑ Moura inquiries Moura No 4, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government, 19/9/2009. Accessed 20/3/2014
  8. ↑ Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government, Mining wardens inquiries David Joseph FIRTH, 21/10/2007. Accessed 20/3/2014
  9. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Arthur Phillip, Cape Otway, Victoria, 21 May 1990 Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  10. ↑ Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government,Mining wardens inquiries Rodney Elwyn MADDOX 1990, 21/10/2007. Archived 2014-04-22 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 20/3/2014
  11. ↑ Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government,Mining wardens inquiries Dean Michael WHITE 21/10/2007. Accessed 20/3/2014
  12. ↑ Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government,Mining wardens inquiries Dean Michael WHITE 21/10/2007. Accessed 20/3/2014
  13. ↑ South Bulli Gas Outburst - 1991
  14. ↑ "MDG 1020 Review Guidelines for Underground Emergency Escape Systems and Provision of Self Rescuers" for the NSW Trade & Investment - Resources and Energy Division by David Nichols. Archived 2014-03-22 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21/3/2014
  15. ↑ Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government,Mining wardens inquiries BOLTON, KERR, BISSELL and SWIFT 21/10/2007. Archived 2014-04-22 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 20/3/2014
  16. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Kirki, Western Australia, 21 July 1991 Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  17. ↑ Moura inquiries Moura No 2, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government, 13/12/2010. Archived 2014-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 20/3/2014
  18. ↑ Mining wardens inquiries Alan MORGAN, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government 21/9/2007. Archived 2014-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21/03/2014
  19. ↑ Mining wardens inquiries Gary John WILSON, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government 21/9/2007. Archived 2014-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21/3/2014
  20. ↑ "Charges laid over Gretley coal mine disaster" ABC news 12/8/2003. Accessed 21/3/2014
  21. ↑ "Mine found guilty over Gretley disaster" The Sydney Morning Herald 9/8/2004. 21/3/2014
  22. ↑ Mining wardens inquiries Trevor George DOMROW, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government 21/12/2007. Archived 2014-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21/3/2014
  23. ↑ Mining wardens inquiries Dale GADSBY, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government 21/12/2007. Archived 2014-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21/3/2014
  24. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority,Major Oil Spills in Australia, Port Stanvac, 28 June 1999 Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  25. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, MV Torungen – Varanus Island Terminal – Varanus Island, WA, 26 July 1999 - 25 tonnes. Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 19/3/2014
  26. ↑ >Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Laura D'Amato, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, 3 August 1999 Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  27. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Sylvan Arrow - near Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, 18 December 1999 Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed 19/3/2014
  28. ↑ Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government, Mining wardens inquiries John Anthony MAHER,20/10/2007. Archived 2014-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 20/03/2014
  29. ↑ Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government, Mining wardens inquiries John Anthony MAHER,Mining wardens inquiries Christopher John LEE 20/10/2007. Archived 2014-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21/3/2014
  30. ↑ Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government, Mining wardens inquiries Michael James MORRIS 20/10/2007. Archived 2014-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21/3/2014
  31. ↑ Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland government, Mining wardens inquiries Laurence THOMAS 20/10/2007. Archived 2014-03-21 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 21/3/2014
  32. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Global Peace – Gladstone, Queensland, 24 January 2006. Archived 19 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 19/3/2014
  33. ↑ Mining Warden Yallourn Mine Batter Failure Inquiry, Victorian Government 2008 Archived 2014-03-19 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ↑ Port Bonython - Menard Bachy Menard Bachy (2010-08-24). Accessed 19/3/2014
  35. ↑ Further contamination at Santos' Port Bonython facility Environment Protection Authority (2010). Accessed 19/03/2014
  36. ↑ "Santos says oil-leak clean-up working" ABC News 9/5/2012. Accessed 19/3/2014
  37. ↑ Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Major Oil Spills in Australia, Montara Well Head Platform. Archived 2014-03-19 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 19/3/2014
  38. ↑ "Santos fined $52,500 for NSW pollution breach" ABC Rural news 15/1/2014. Accessed 19/3/2014
  39. ↑ "Santos fined over Eastern Star Gas toxic water spill" The Courier 14/1/2014. Archived 2014-03-19 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 19/3/2014
  40. ↑ "Fears of collapse to shut Princes Highway for three months" The Age 11/2/2011. Accessed 19/03/2014
  41. ↑ "Princes Freeway at Morwell to reopen soon" Media release Premier of Victoria 1/8/2011. Accessed 19/03/2014
  42. ↑ Enforceable undertaking between Springvale Coal and Centennial Angus Place and the Commonwealth Environment Minister 21/10/2011. Accessed 22/3/2014
  43. ↑ Yallourn Coal Mine Inquiries, Department of State Development, Business and Innovation, Victoria 10/2/2012. Archived 2014-03-19 at the Wayback Machine Accessed 19/3/2014
  44. ↑ "Santos confirms uncontrolled leak at oil and gas well in Queensland's remote southwest" News.com.au 20/5/2013. Accessed 19/3/2013
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