WHITEHAVEN Coal will have to cough up more than $800,000 in relation to a truck crash which seriously injured one of its employees.
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The NSW Resources Regulator has accepted an enforcable undertaking proposal from Maules Creek Coal Pty Ltd (MCCPL), the operator of the Maules Creek coal mine near Boggabri, which is owned by Whitehaven.
Under the agreement, the company must now spend at least $803,613 on various projects and initiatives for the community and the industry.
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The state's mining watchdog conducted an extensive investigation into a collision in April 2018 between a 100-tonne service truck and a 500-tonne haul truck, which left one man hospitalised.
As part of the undertaking accepted, more than $600,000 - about three quarters of the money - must be put towards delivering community projects in the Narrabri and Boggabri areas.
"MCCPL will undertake a range of safety and community projects that will provide clear and tangible benefits to the workforce, the mining industry and importantly, the broader community as well," NSW Resources Regulator executive director Anthony Keon said.
Mr Keon said it includes delivering a community-wide mental health initiative and donations to the Narrabri Shire Interagency Group, the local State Emergency Service, and Boggabri Hospital.
"These are important initiatives given the significant challenges faced by regional communities, especially in light of the impact of issues such as drought, bushfires and COVID-19," he said.
The mine will partner with the University of Queensland on a project to promote the safe use of new technologies at mine sites.
The undertaking includes funding for an Indigenous mentoring program.
Whitehaven will also have to pay for the Regulator's investigation and legal costs.
The investigation by the mining watchdog revealed the truck crash was caused by a stop-sign change, which hadn't been properly communicated to workers.
The driver of the service truck had to be flown to hospital with serious back, shoulder and wrist injuries after the crash, which also caused "catastrophic" damage to the vehicle.
The minimum spend of about $800,000 by Whitehaven Coal is one of the largest work, health and safety undertakings approved for a mine in the state.
It's the second undertaking proposal MCCPL put forward relating to the truck crash. The first was rejected.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald.
