Family of miner who died wants stronger punishment for mining companies

By Vanessa Jarrett

ABC Capricornia

Topic: Mining Accidents and Incidents

Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 9:15 am

Michelle Feltwell holds a photo of her and Gavin on their wedding day, March 26, 1988.

In short:

Mastermyne was fined $310,000 for the death of worker Gavin Feltwell in 2022.

The Feltwell family is shocked and disappointed by the court's decision.

What's next:

Mining safety advocate Scott Leggett wants better investigations and stricter laws.

It has been four years since mine worker Gavin Feltwell died on the job.

Gavin was working a night shift at the Moranbah North coal mine in Central Queensland.

He and five crew members were removing a conveyor when a torque arm slipped, hitting him in the head.

Mrs. Feltwell was woken up at midnight by a police officer at her door.

'I thought I was dreaming,' she said.

Michelle and Gavin were married for almost 34 years when he died.

The next few hours and days are a blur for Mrs. Feltwell.

'He was my world, he was my other half,' she said, crying.

She had to call their two adult children, Rachael and Daniel, to tell them the news.

Gavin and Michelle had two children, Daniel and Rachael. He was a devoted father.

'The moment I saw the call from mom, my heart dropped,' Daniel said.

'I knew something was bad for her to call me at that time.

'I still get anxiety when my phone vibrates.

No conviction was recorded.

An investigation into the accident was started right away.

The contractor, Mastermyne, was charged 18 months later with failing to keep workers safe.

During the investigation, the family got updates, but it felt like they were in limbo.

Michelle met Gavin when she was 18, and they got married three years later.

'You start moving forward, but then it all comes back because of a phone call,' Mrs. Feltwell said.

Mastermyne pleaded guilty to the charge.

On the day of sentencing, Mrs. Feltwell couldn't face being in court.

'I had my sister on the phone as I listened to the proceedings,' she said.

'It was horrible, I knew it wouldn't be a good result.

Mastermyne was fined $310,000 and had to pay court costs.

The fine felt like 'nothing'.

'It doesn't feel like there's any justice,' Mrs. Feltwell said.

'The government can't make companies follow the law,' she said.

Michelle lives with grief every day after losing Gavin.

The maximum penalty for a company that doesn't keep workers safe is $2,067,750.

Mastermyne is part of a bigger group of companies.

The group made a profit of $3.2 million in 2025.

Daniel Feltwell said the $310,000 fine felt like 'nothing'.

'No deterrent for mining companies'

Scott Leggett wants the government to investigate deaths more seriously.

Scott has worked in mining for 35 years and oversees safety.

'There's no reason for companies to change,' he said.

Gavin's name is on a plaque at the Moranbah Miners Memorial.

'I don't want another name on the wall,' Mr. Leggett said.

Gavin's name is on a plaque at the memorial, which was built in 2019.

Mr. Leggett also helped bring back the Mining Warden's Court.

After Gavin's death, Mr. Leggett wrote a strong letter to the government.

The government announced that mining deaths would be investigated more thoroughly.

'We're not there yet,' Mr. Leggett said.

Gavin and Michelle with their two children, Daniel and Rachael.

Daniel doesn't want another family to go through what they did.

'Australia used to be a model for mine safety,' he said.

'Now it's more about making money than keeping people safe.

Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 9:15 am

See more ABC coverage

Luyện nghe