Mine dust lung diseases

Cases of MDLD reported to RSHQ

Figure 1 – Cases of MDLD reported to RSHQ for all mining since 1984 by financial year (current as at 31 October 2024)

Multiple MDLD: Individual has more than one MDLD. This figure may include cases of CWP, silicosis and mixed dust pneumoconiosis. For exact numbers of pneumoconioses cases, including those located in the multiple MDLD category above, please refer to Figure 4.

Other MDLD: Another type of MDLD or the specific type of lung disease is to be confirmed (cases in this category may be re-classified over time as additional information is provided to RSHQ).

Cancer: Includes mesothelioma from asbestos exposure and other occupational lung cancers.

MDP: Mixed dust pneumoconiosis.

Figure 2 – Cases of MDLD reported to RSHQ for all mining industries since 2014–15 by financial year and disease type (current as at 31 October 2024)

Non-pneumoconiosis conditions include, but are not limited to, COPD, diffuse dust fibrosis, lung cancer and other undefined lung disease. Cases in this category may be re-classified over time as additional information is provided to RSHQ.

Reported cases of CWP have decreased in recent years, while reports of silicosis have slowed. Over the past twelve months, COPD cases have increased substantially. The majority of these new cases are former workers who have received a free lung health check paid for by RSHQ. Free respiratory health screening has been available to retired mine and quarry workers since March 2019 including from Heart of Australia’s mobile health service since February 2022.

Figure 3 – Cases of MDLD reported to RSHQ grouped by industry of mining experience, since 2014–15 (current as at 31 October 2024)

The number of reported MDLD cases for individuals from the MMQ industry increased during the 2023-2024 financial year. The majority of these new cases are former MMQ workers who have received a free lung health check. The number of reported MDLD cases among current workers from the MMQ remains comparatively low.

Cases of pneumoconiosis

Figure 4 – Cases of pneumoconiosis reported to RSHQ for all mining, since 1984 (current as at 31 October 2024)

Mine dust can lead to a range of pathological changes in the lungs. In general terms, the resulting lung changes can be divided into two groups; those which are fibrotic or nodular (example CWP, mixed dust pneumoconiosis and silicosis), and those which are non-nodular (example COPD and lung cancer). Due to being nodular in nature, CWP, mixed dust pneumoconiosis, and silicosis can be graded according to a scale of severity under the ILO classification.

Figure 5 – Cases of progressive massive fibrosis reported to RSHQ for all mining, since 1984 (current as at 31 October 2024)

As at 31 October 2024, RSHQ has been advised that 18 reported cases of MDLD have progressed to the most severe category of progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). This represents a small proportion of the total number of pneumoconiosis cases reported to RSHQ. Where disease severity has been reported to RSHQ, the majority of cases are in the early stages of disease.

Total individuals with MDLD

Figure 6 – Total individuals with MDLD reported to RSHQ for all mining, since 1984 (current as at 31 October 2024)

When reporting on disease, best practice is to report on individuals rather than multiple disease types per person. The above figure represents the number of all individuals with MDLD reported to RSHQ.

Disease detection

Since July 2016, under the Coal Mine Workers’ Health Scheme, all coal mine worker chest X-rays have been dual read to ILO standards. Recent regulatory changes will ensure that MMQ workers also have chest X-rays read to the same standards.

It is important to note that the chest X-ray classification is one part of a screening process, and that a positive result does not necessarily lead to a disease being diagnosed. Results must be investigated further using the Clinical Pathway Guidelines which provide the recommended process for follow-up investigation and referral to appropriate medical specialists and tests.

Figure 7 – Chest X-ray screening results for coal mine workers (current as at 31 October 2024)

Estimated prevalence rates for coal mine dust lung disease

Figure 8 — Estimated prevalence rates (per 1,000 coal miners) of coal mine dust lung disease in Queensland (financial year 2019/20) and internationally

As part of Resources Safety and Health Queensland’s ongoing commitment to better understanding mine dust lung disease, Cancer Council Queensland were engaged to undertake a prevalence study. The study focused specifically on coal mine dust lung disease (CMDLD). The study found prevalence of CMDLD in Queensland for 2019/20 to be estimated at 2.1 cases per 1,000 coal mine workers, including both underground and surface miners.

For comparative purposes, international prevalence of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis has been estimated in this study at 34.5 cases for underground miners, and 18 cases for surface miners per 1,000 coal mine workers. Whilst prevalence rate estimates for Queensland coal miners are lower than international pooled prevalence rates, they should be compared with caution due to different methods for calculating prevalence estimates, as outlined in the full report. In addition, international prevalence could only be calculated for coal workers’ pneumoconiosis whereas prevalence in Queensland was estimated for the full range of CMDLDs.

Figure 9 — Estimated prevalence rates (per 1,000 coal miners) of coal mine dust lung disease in Queensland by financial year (up to 2019/20)

Prevalence rate estimates have increased over time, primarily due to an increase in number of diagnosed CMDLD cases, particularly since the early 2000s, and the inclusion of both newly diagnosed and pre-existing cases in the population.

It should be noted that prevalence rate differs from incidence of reported cases as it shows the rate of disease within the current and former mining population. This ‘per-capita’ type calculation is much more informative as prevalence provides context to the incidence rate, considers workforce size changes over time and allows comparisons with other jurisdictions and industries.