The mining industry is of enormous economic importance and is the lifeblood of many communities in regional Australia. Sadly, in a small but significant number of cases, it is also the source of tragedy.

While the Queensland mining industry may, statistically, be one of the safest in the world, mine and ancillary workers still die or suffer terrible injuries every year while helping to earn the billions of dollars the industry contributes to the economy.

This report focuses on the Queensland Mines Inspectorate (QMI), the body responsible for mine safety regulation in Queensland. Some of the impetus for this investigation was criticism in recent years in the media and academic forums about Queensland mine safety.