The 1,509 Queensland miners who have died on the job will be remembered at the state’s biggest memorial event for mining tragedies this month.

On 19 September each year, the industry comes together to commemorate those lives lost on the same day as the state’s worst coal mining disaster at Mount Mulligan, where 75 miners died in 1921.

The Miners Memorial Day Service is run by Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), and this year it’s being held at the Collinsville-Scottville Workers Club in the Whitsunday region. 

It coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Collinsville coal mine disaster where seven men died in 1954.

RSHQ CEO Rob Djukic said it’s an emotional day with people travelling from across the state to attend the service.

“Remembering the workers who lost their lives is an important reminder of why we must keep striving for a safer sector and that is our focus at RSHQ,” said Rob.

“Sadly, this year we lost another three people to a mining tragedy, 27-year-old Luke O’Brien in January, as well as 48-year-old Chris Schloss and 56-year-old John Linwood only last month.

“Our thoughts will be with their families, friends and co-workers, and the loved ones of all miners who have tragically passed.

“Every death in the resources sector is one too many.”