A Tasmanian judge has ruled that a mining consultant will be able to give evidence at the inquest into three deaths at the Mount Lyell copper mine in 2013.
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However, Justice Stephen Estcourt said that the authors of reports referred to by mining consultant John Webber should also have to be called to give evidence.
“Mr Webber, not being the author of those reports and not being able to speak to them directly and authoritatively with the relevant expertise, it would, in my view, be unfair to the applicant if the facts and opinions contained in them were tendered otherwise than through their authors,” Justice Estcourt said.
Coroner Simon Cooper is investigating the deaths of Alistair Lucas and Craig Gleeson in 2013, who fell through a wooden platform, and Michael Welsh’s death in a mudslide six weeks later.
Copper Mines Tasmania had objected to a number of reports being brought before Mr Cooper.
Mr Cooper said he would need the evidence to understand circumstances, any risks within the mine, and to ultimately make recommendations.
