The death of a 36-year-old Coober Pedy man whose body was found at an open-cut mine yesterday has been deemed non-suspicious following a police investigation and post-mortem examination.

Police were called to the mine, just south of the Coober Pedy township, shortly before 9.30am on Thursday, 10 September.

Coober Pedy police attended the scene with Major Crime detectives and Forensic Response officers. Investigators remained at the claim for much of this morning while inquiries continued.

The owner of the claim was also called upon to provide a statement as part of those inquiries. There is no suggestion the claim owner was involved in the man’s death, and obtaining statements from people connected with a location is a routine part of establishing the circumstances surrounding a death.

The Bush Telegraph understands the man had been at the location for several days and that his body was being guarded by a dog. The dog was reportedly euthanised before authorities could safely access the scene.

In its first media release this morning, SA Police said the cause of the man’s death was unknown and that the circumstances were being investigated. Police confirmed that Major Crime detectives and Forensic Response officers were assisting local officers and that a post-mortem examination would be conducted today.

A second media release issued this afternoon confirmed that, following the post-mortem, the man’s death had been deemed non-suspicious.

Police will now prepare a report for the Coroner.

The man’s identity has not been publicly released.

A timely reminder about safety on the field

Although police have determined that the death was not suspicious, its precise circumstances have not been publicly detailed. It would therefore be inappropriate to speculate about what happened.

Nevertheless, the tragedy is a timely reminder of how unforgiving the Coober Pedy opal fields can be.

Open shafts, unstable ground, steep cuts, heavy machinery, extreme temperatures, limited lighting and poor phone reception can turn a relatively minor accident into a life-threatening emergency. These hazards become even more difficult to see and avoid after dark.

Working alone compounds every risk. A fall, injury, vehicle breakdown or sudden medical episode may leave a person unable to call for help—and there may be nobody nearby to realise something has gone wrong.

Anyone heading onto the field should tell another person exactly where they are going and when they expect to return. Where possible, miners and noodlers should avoid working alone, carry reliable communications and first-aid equipment, remain well clear of unsupported ground and open shafts, and ensure someone will raise the alarm if they fail to check in.

Visitors should also remember that the opal field is a working mining area, not an ordinary tourist attraction. Those booking field tours may wish to ask whether the operator carries appropriate public liability insurance and has suitable safety procedures, risk assessments and work health and safety arrangements in place.

Local knowledge and experience matter greatly in this environment.

Whether mining, noodling, sightseeing or conducting a tour, no piece of opal—and no prize—is worth risking a life.