Reported
Person rescued from grain silo in Dunolly
A person was rescued after becoming trapped in a grain silo on Thompson Street in Dunolly, Victoria, on 6 October 2026. The Country Fire…
Agriculture Dunolly, VIC
Record summary
- Date
- Friday 15 March 2024
- Location
- Victoria
- Employer or operator
- Victory Minerals
- Type
- Rockfall
- Deaths
- 1On Friday, 15 March 2024, a catastrophic rockfall at the Ballarat Gold Mine in Victoria killed 37-year-old miner Kurt Hourigan and critically injured a 21-year-old colleague
- Injured
- One 21-year-old worker critically injured
- Mine type
- underground
- Mine status
- Operations suspended in affected area pending investigation outcome
- Regulator
- WorkSafe Victoria
What happened
Incident Overview
On Friday, 15 March 2024, a catastrophic rockfall at the Ballarat Gold Mine in Victoria killed 37-year-old miner Kurt Hourigan and critically injured a 21-year-old colleague. The incident occurred during routine underground operations and prompted immediate evacuation of approximately 30 workers from the site.
WorkSafe Victoria and Victoria Police were notified and have commenced investigations into the cause and any potential breaches of safety protocols. The mine operator, Victory Minerals, has suspended operations in the affected area pending the outcome of the inquiry.
- Fatalities:
- On Friday, 15 March 2024, a catastrophic rockfall at the Ballarat Gold Mine in Victoria killed 37-year-old miner Kurt Hourigan and critically injured a 21-year-old colleague
- Injuries:
- None reported.
- On Friday, 15 March 2024, a catastrophic rockfall at the Ballarat Gold Mine in Victoria killed 37-year-old miner Kurt Hourigan and critically injured a 21-year-old colleague
WorkSafe Victoria and Victoria Police were notified and have commenced investigations into the cause and any potential breaches of safety protocols. The mine operator, Victory Minerals, has suspended operations in the affected area pending the outcome of the inquiry.
WorkSafe Victoria is leading the investigation into the cause of the rockfall and any potential breaches of safety protocols. Victoria Police are also conducting inquiries. The investigation will examine operational practices, including the use of the “airlegging” mining method, and the adequacy of ground support and safety measures in the affected area.
WorkSafe Victoria is appealing for any workers, contractors or witnesses who were present at the Ballarat Gold Mine on 15 March 2024 and have information relevant to the incident to come forward. Reports can be made to WorkSafe Victoria on 1800 136 089 or to Victoria Police.
In Summary
WorkSafe Victoria is appealing for any workers, contractors or witnesses who were present at the Ballarat Gold Mine on 15 March 2024 and have information relevant to the incident to come forward. Reports can be made to WorkSafe Victoria on 1800 136 089 or to Victoria Police.