Hunter Valley mine safety officials have begun an investigation into an accident in which a miner was engulfed by fire and badly burnt.
The incident happened at BHP's Mount Arthur coal mine just after 9.30am on August 10, but details have only been made public today.
The New South Wales Resources Regulator said the contract worker suffered serious burns when diesel ignited while he was refuelling a piece of heavy equipment at the Muswellbrook mine.
Inspectors said when a fuel nozzle was forced out of a fuel tank, the 29-year-old grabbed the nozzle as fuel sprayed all over his body.
The diesel ignited and set him, the equipment and surrounding areas on fire.
State Opposition questions delayed reporting of fire
Details of the accident have only been made public today, nearly two weeks after it happened.
This prompted questions by the state Opposition, which has asked why it took so long for details of the incident to be revealed.
Shadow resources spokesman Adam Searle said the incident should have been made public at the time.
"My recollection of things is that in the past there was a much quicker communication of incidents like this," he said.
The regulator did not respond to those concerns, but did release a statement.
"Incidents of this nature are investigated thoroughly by the Resource Regulator's major investigation and emergency response unit," a spokeswoman said.
"The Department of Planning and Environment's Resources Regulator can confirm it is investigating an incident at the Mount Arthur coal mine.
"The mine is cooperating with the investigation.
"As the investigation is ongoing, the department is unable to comment further at this time."
Inappropriate fuel nozzle blamed
The regulator said an inappropriate fuel nozzle appeared to be to blame.
It said an examination of the fuel splash nozzle identified that it was not suitable for the refuelling task, and enabled pressurised fuel to flow out of the nozzle in an uncontrolled manner.
The injured man was due to be discharged from Sydney's Royal North Shore burns unit today.
BHP has released a statement saying the safety and wellbeing of its people was its highest priority.
"We have worked closely to support the injured worker and his employer both during and following the incident.
"There are a number of investigations into the cause of this incident, including by the NSW Department of Resources and Energy.
"BHP is fully cooperating with these investigations."
