mmg.com.au

Fosterville Gold Mine general manager Ian Holland said the fire broke out on an underground loader around the 450m level after an hydraulic line split and caught fire.

‘‘All units are fitted with a fire suppression unit, which the driver activated, but it still generated a bit of smoke,’’ Mr Holland said.

‘‘The driver and a shift supervisor experienced some smoke inhalation. An ambulance was called out but both men were treated at the scene and able to go home.’’

The incident triggered the mine’s well-practised emergency response plan and the remaining miners underground moved into the mine’s rescue shelters until the smoke cleared.

Mr Holland said he was pleased with the way crews had responded to the emergency, with the mine already well equipped to deal with underground emergencies, including having its own firefighting unit.

‘‘We’ve also got our own mines rescue team,’’ Mr Holland said.

‘‘We run mock emergencies to try and get everyone to think along those lines. If something happens, they know what to do. Everything went very smoothly.’’

Mr Holland said the mine was continuing to investigate the incident and any changes that might be needed in the future.