A REPORT has been released which highlights the importance of an effective mining and mineral claim risk management program after a man plunged to his death at Lightning Ridge.
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James Leslie Stocks, 46, was discovered at the bottom of a 13.6-metre shaft on a Lightning Ridge mineral claim on the morning of March 7, 2013.
According to the report Mr Stocks had been socialising with three friends on March 6 and left the camp, his friends presumed he had walked home, and did not return to the group.
Mr Stocks' friends went looking for him the following morning after he had failed to return to the campsite.
The group found Mr Stocks at the bottom of the mine shaft and called triple-0.
Mr Stocks recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.209 and cannabis was detected in his system.
The report did not specify how Mr Stocks came to be at the bottom of the shaft, but stated: "The autopsy report for the Coroner lists the direct cause of death as chest injuries and the antecedent cause as 'fall from height.'"
The opening of the shaft was a metre wide and had a concrete lip and a metal covering.
The group saw the cover was off the opening, an unusual occurrence which lead them to discover Mr Stock's body.
The report also could not confirm how or why the cover was not over the opening.
"The cover weighed 14.6kg and any attempt to kick it off the top of the shaft would appear to be improbable," the report stated.
"Mr Stocks was not wearing any shoes, the edges of the shaft cover were sharp and irregular and the autopsy did not disclose any injuries to Mr Stocks' feet."
The report suggested a number of guidelines or "mine-related learnings" could be made from the incident.
It suggests all mining operations must have a mine safety management plan (MSMP) and mine operators are required to maintain a MSMP identifying the hazards of shafts and "how shaft-related risks are to be managed safely."
Further guidelines from the report suggest a shaft cover that isn't pinned down can be easily moved and department guidelines state the covers should be adequately secured.
"The NSW Opal Mining Safety Guidelines also recommend a higher standard of shaft security that includes extending the height of the collar, erecting fences and warning signs and installing a lockable cover," the report stated.
Mr Stocks' death has been the first involving falling down a shaft since 1991 when a two-year-old child died after falling down an auger hole.
There have been five non-fatal incidences involving people falling into shafts during the 22 years between the two deaths, all of which had the potential to be fatalities, according to the report.
