Probe into worker’s death

An investigation will reveal the cause of a death of a female worker at the K3.4 billion Simberi mine in New Ireland, Mineral Resources Authority managing director Jerry Garry says.
Operator St Barbara released a statement last Friday on the death.
Managing director and chief executive officer Craig Jetson said it was “devastating news”.
“Our thoughts are with the employee’s family, friends and colleagues at Simberi,” he said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our employees is our highest priority.”
St Barbara is providing care and support to the family of the worker and employees of the Simberi operation.
This was the first time a female worker died in the country’s mining sector.
“Once investigation is done, we will know what caused the accident,” Garry said.
“As regulator we need to find out what happened, this is the first female accident in the industry.”
Garry confirmed that the mine has been closed except for the mill.
The Australian miner said it had temporarily ceased production on the site.
It said mining activities were put on hold and the premises declared off-limits until they received safety clearance to resume operation.
Meanwhile Garry said the US$3.6 mil (K11mil) Frieda River copper and gold project had been held up by the Covid-19 lockdown.