Blast Closes BHP Mine in Western Australia

A contractor was killed in an underground explosion at the BHP Billiton Ltd. nickel mine in Western Australia on Friday. The Leinster nickel mine will remain closed until the results of an inquiry into the fatal blast, which killed Mark Quinn, 32, are known.

Fears had been raised that the mine's closure would lead to a nickel shortage. However, a spokesperson for the miner told Reuters that the company had sufficient nickel concentrate stockpiled to last until the mine reopens. The same spokesperson was unable to comment on when this is likely to be.

Commenting on the accident, the government of Western Australian has described the fatality rate in the mining industry as "deplorable and atrocious," reports ABC Online. Quinn's death is the third underground fatality and the fourth mining death this financial year.

John Bowler, Western Australia's Employment Protection Minister has said that he will consider implementing changes to improve the safety record of the mining industry, reports ABC Online.

BHP Billiton is the world's third largest nickel producer. The Leinster mine produces up to 45,000 metric tons of nickel in concentrates a year.