Traditional mining was highly dangerous. There were three main causes of accidents: rock falls, often when the pillars were mined; explosions, most frequently occasioned by firedamp (methane gas given off by coal), which was usually ignited by a miner’s naked flame; and tubs travelling on the haulage system knocking men over.
There was a high level of injury and death, but there were few large-scale tragedies. At Denniston in the 10 years from 1881 to 1891 there were 10 deaths and 35 serious injuries. Of the 141 men killed nationwide between 1900 and 1914, 98 were individual deaths.
New Zealand mining has seen a number of mass tragedies:
- Kaitangata, 21 February 1879: 34 miners died in an explosion caused by candles in an area known for firedamp.
- Brunner, 26 March 1896: 65 were killed by choking gas. An enquiry determined the cause to be the unauthorised detonating of a charge in an abandoned section of the mine, although this has been contested. This remains the largest death toll from an industrial accident in New Zealand.
- Ralph’s mine, Huntly, 12 September 1914: 43 miners were killed when a miner’s naked light ignited firedamp.
- Dobson mine, 3 December 1926: an explosion killed 9 men.
- Glen Afton mine, Huntly, 24 September 1939: 11 men were asphyxiated by carbon monoxide.
- Strongman mine, 19 January 1967: an explosion killed 19 miners.
- Pike River mine, Grey Valley: on 19 November 2010 there was a large explosion caused by methane gases. Two men escaped from the mine. On 24 November, while a rescue team waited for conditions to become less dangerous, there was a second explosion, and it was confirmed that the 29 men still in the mine were dead.
Miners might also fall sick from miners’ phthisis or pulmonary tuberculosis, and they often suffered ailments such as boils or poisoned hands. It is little wonder that absenteeism was high.
It could be tough being married to a coal miner. Caroline Denson’s first husband died at Kaitangata in 1879. Her second, Harry, perished in the Brunner explosion 17 years later.
Following the Kaitangata disaster in 1879, the Mines Department was given power to inspect mines, and this provision was progressively strengthened. But even 40 years later, inspections were sporadic and depended on a strong union to be effective. From 1886 mine managers had to be certified.
The rise of opencast mining brought greater levels of safety, and there was growing intolerance of levels of injury that had once been accepted as part of a miner’s life. By the early 21st century, the mining industry had its own codes of practice. Following the 2010 Pike River explosion, the government set up Worksafe New Zealand to be responsible for all workplace safety issues, with a designated High Hazards Unit covering industries such as mining and petroleum exploration.
Mining permits are administered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Environmental regulation is managed through the resource consent process administered by local government.