At 11 p.m. on Tuesday, 24th July 1979, an explosion of methane gas in a three heading development panel at Appin Colliery resulted in the deaths of fourteen men. The explosion followed after or was asso- ciated with a changeover of the ventilation to achieve a central intake between two returns. Investigation by Inspectors was followed by separate Judicial and Coronial Inquiries._x000D_
Investigational information aimed at understanding the circumstances of the ex- plosion was prepared for the Inquiries._x000D_
Recommendations following the Judicial Inquiry have been adopted by the Department of Mineral Resources.