The engine of a plane carrying mining workers has failed midair in remote Western Australia.
Workers were returned safely to the mine airstrip, as the pilot guided the plane back to the tarmac using the lone remaining engine.
A spokeswoman for mining company Ramelius Resources told NewsWire all staff were safe, and the plane was chartered by the company.
The incident happened on Thursday morning, on a flight departing the Penny Gold Mine, about 550km northeast of Perth, destined for the state capital.
“A Perth-bound plane departing our Penny operations had to return shortly after takeoff when one of its engines failed,” the spokeswoman said.
The relevant aviation authorities had been notified, she said, however could not say how many people were on board.
The Penny mine is about 150km southeast of the nearest township, Mount Magnet. Ramelius Resources has a series of mines just outside the town.
The company bought the Penny mine in 2020.
The incident happened on hugely positive day for Australian goldminers. As Donald Trump’s tariffs put fear into financial markets, investors have turned to gold as a safe haven. Australian gold companies were pretty much the only positive note for the ASX on Thursday. Ramelius’ share price rose 1.9 per cent to $2.15 on Thursday.