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WHS Management for Metalliferous Mining

Manage silica exposure, diesel particulate, ground support, and process chemical hazards across gold, copper, iron ore, and base metal operations.

Metalliferous mining encompasses gold, copper, iron ore, nickel, zinc, and other base metal operations across both surface and underground extraction methods. The dominant occupational health hazards are silica dust from drilling, blasting, and crushing quartz-bearing host rock, and diesel particulate matter in underground operations. Metalliferous underground mines in Western Australia and Queensland also face seismicity risks from high-stress environments at depth, requiring seismic monitoring and dynamic ground support systems. Process chemical hazards including cyanide in gold processing and sulphuric acid in heap leach operations add another layer of complexity. A dedicated WHS management plan ensures your metalliferous operation addresses extraction, ground control, atmospheric, and process hazards.

Key Hazards

Silica dust from drilling, blasting, and processing quartz-bearing rock (WEL reducing 50%)Diesel particulate in underground metalliferous operations (NEW WEL 0.1 mg/m³)Seismicity and rockburst in deep high-stress underground minesCyanide exposure in gold processing operationsGround collapse from geological structures and stress redistributionHeat stress in deep underground operations exceeding 40°C wet bulb

Regulatory Requirements

HRCW Categories

Underground mining, hazardous chemical exposure, blasting, confined spaces

Section 26A Codes (binding 1 July 2026)
Managing Respirable Crystalline SilicaManaging Risks of Hazardous ChemicalsManaging Risks of Plant in the Workplace

SWMS Required

Related Sectors

Need Help with Metalliferous Mining WHS?

We help metalliferous mining operations develop compliant WHS systems covering silica controls, DPM management, ground support, and process chemical safety.

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