A 71-year-old Queensland mine worker is in a critical condition at a Brisbane hospital after suffering serious injuries in an underground mining accident at the Crinum mine near Emerald.

The worker was transported to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Monday after initially receiving treatment at hospitals in Emerald and Rockhampton. He remains in critical condition following the workplace incident.

The accident occurred at the Crinum underground mine, part of the Gregory Crinum complex in Queensland’s Central Highlands, about 60 kilometres north-east of Emerald. The mine is operated by Sojitz Blue.

According to an investigation by Queensland’s Resources Safety and Health Queensland, the worker was carrying out maintenance work on a pipe system when a sudden release of pressurised air occurred. The worker had been standing on the front bumper of a mine vehicle while attempting to access the pipework.

The release of pressure reportedly created dust and reduced visibility. The worker fell from the vehicle and was subsequently struck by the mining vehicle.

He suffered significant injuries involving his chest, face, arm and abdomen. Emergency crews responded to the incident before he was transported through several hospitals and ultimately flown to Brisbane for specialist medical treatment.

Following its initial investigation, the state's mining safety regulator issued a safety alert to warn workers and mine operators about the dangers associated with maintenance work on pressurised systems.

The regulator has advised mine operators to ensure systems are properly isolated and depressurised before maintenance begins. Workers should not position themselves where an unexpected release of energy could cause injury, and appropriate exclusion zones should be established around hazardous work.

The incident highlights the risks faced by workers in Queensland's mining industry, where employees regularly work around heavy machinery, pressurised systems and complex underground infrastructure.

Safety procedures are particularly important during maintenance activities because workers can be exposed to hazards that may not be present during normal mining operations. A sudden release of pressure can create powerful forces, reduce visibility and cause machinery or workers to move unexpectedly.

The injured worker's transfer to Brisbane demonstrates the role of the city's major hospitals in providing specialist treatment for seriously injured patients from across Queensland.

The safety alert is intended to prevent similar incidents from occurring elsewhere. Mining operators are being reminded that equipment and energy sources must be properly controlled before workers begin maintenance.

Authorities will continue examining the circumstances surrounding the accident. The investigation may provide further information about the sequence of events and whether additional safety measures are required.

For Brisbane, the story is significant because the city's hospitals are receiving the critically injured worker for specialist care, while the incident has also prompted a statewide mining-safety warning.