By PAUL YANDALL
HAMILTON - Safety standards at New Zealand's largest open-cast mine have come under scrutiny again following the second death in nine months at Waihi's Martha Mine.
Douglas Takerata Pourau, 44, of Waihi, was killed when his 90-tonne truck plunged 45m down the wall of the goldmine at 1.30pm on
Monday. He was working for MacMahon Contractors, a company contracted by Waihi Gold Mining Company to run the mine.
The accident follows the death of Nicholas Moncur, 36, who was crushed to death by a 5-tonne crane last September 28. Auckland construction firm Robt Stone and Co was fined $20,000 this month for breaching the Health and Safety in Employment Act.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) spokesman Justin Brownlie said an investigator was at the scene of the latest accident yesterday. The investigation findings are expected today.
Mr Brownlie said OSH officers had visited the site a month ago, but he would not reveal the reveal the reasons why: "In the light of the present accident I think it's important we don't prejudice the current investigation."
Mr Pourau's truck is believed to have come off the mine's haul road while it was heading to the pit bottom for another load falling on the trailer of another dump truck. The other driver was unhurt.
Three men have died since mining began in 1987.
Mr Pourau's wife, Ruth, said her husband was very popular around town.
"He was president of the local marae, chairman of the region's Maori wardens, a volunteer fireman ... We're going to miss him."
