A recent case of silicosis at Australia’s largest gold mine has raised alarm among unions and health experts.

A worker at the Boddington gold mine, owned by American corporation Newmont, has reportedly been diagnosed with early-stage silicosis during routine health checks. 

Silicosis is caused by prolonged exposure to silica dust, and concerns have been growing around the world regarding engineered stone as a source of the disease.

WorkSafe WA has raised concerns about excessive dust at the mine on six occasions since 2020, focusing on the grinders used to crush rocks containing silica. 

Acting WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North says that the regulator is currently reviewing risk assessments and health monitoring procedures at the site.

The Australian Workers Union (AWU) is pushing for stricter national regulations on silica dust and the establishment of a compensation fund for silicosis-diagnosed workers, estimating that 600,000 Australian workers are exposed to silica dust daily. 

Additionally, the CFMEU has announced plans to ban its members from working on engineered stone products by mid-2024 if government intervention is not forthcoming.

Newmont has responded by reviewing the status of contractors in its monitoring program. 

A company spokesperson stated that the detected silicosis case was identified early through a CT scan, and the affected worker had not yet experienced symptoms, indicating that preventative measures could halt the disease's progression. 

The company says it is committed to the health and well-being of its workforce, listing various safety measures in place at the Boddington site, including mandatory respirators and engineering controls.

Health experts say that while CT scans are effective for diagnosis, on-site safety measures should ideally prevent such cases from occurring in the first place.

Only one compensation claim for silicosis by a miner, exposed in the 1970s, has been accepted since 2018. 

Western Australia's work health and safety laws do not require health monitoring of former workers, aligning with the national approach to the issue under model work health and safety laws. 

Workers seeking compensation for health issues related to silica dust exposure have the option to apply for workers' compensation or pursue civil action.