The Australian Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, together with
Minister Luo Lin of China’s State Administration of Work Safety today celebrated the achievements of the Australia-China Coal Mine Safety Demonstration Project at an event in Beijing.
The project is a commitment between Australia, China and the Xuandong No. 2 mine operator, the Zhangjiakou Mining Group, to showcase leading practice safety management methods and technologies.
Australia agreed to contribute up to $5 million to the project which arose from a 2006 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving cooperation between Australia and China on mine safety. The State Administration of Work Safety of China and the Xuandong No.2 mine operator also agreed to make substantial financial and resource contributions to this safety cooperation project.
The project team will return to Xuandong a year from now to assess how the longer term safety outcomes are developing.
Ministers Ferguson and Luo Lin also agreed to commence discussions to extend the 2006 MoU given its success to date.
Minister Ferguson applauded the recognition by all parties that the health and safety of mine workers was central to the performance of the coal industry.
“Safety management must be integrated into every aspect of a mine operation from the initial planning and mine design, through the mine construction and production phases, to final mine closure. It must also underpin the regulation of mine safety and the approach of safety regulators,” Minister Ferguson said.
“Australia is proud of its reputation as a global leader in mine safety. This project has provided a valuable opportunity for us to share some of our experience and knowledge on these issues with our Chinese mining colleagues.
“There has been a strong commitment from not only the two governments but also the Zhangjiakou Mining Group which has devoted considerable resources to the project while continuing to operate the Xuandong No. 2 mine.”