Authorities have responded to two deaths within 72 hours at WA mine sites. 

Capricorn Metals has confirmed that a “significant incident” at its Karlawinda Gold Mine, 65km south east of Newman, had resulted in the death of a contractor last Thursday.

Operations at the mine were suspended while mines safety inspectors and WA Police attended the scene. 

This came after the death of a worker at the Hamlet underground mine in the Goldfields on Tuesday last week.

WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh says reports are being prepared for the coroner.

WA Deputy Premier Roger Cook said the tragic events highlight the critical nature of workplace safety.

“This really goes to show just how important it is that occupational health and safety is uppermost in everyone's minds when we go into the workplace,” Mr Cook said.

“Any death in the workplace, and particularly on a mine site, is obviously a shocking incident and our hearts go out to all the family, friends and colleagues of this particular worker.”

The companies that run the sites, the labour hire company that brought them on and the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) have expressed their condolences.