Workers at underground Grosvenor coal mine in Central Queensland evacuated after fire

Anglo American says the mine has been evacuated and all other personnel are accounted for. (Supplied)

Workers at the troubled underground Grosvenor coal mine in Central Queensland have been evacuated after a fire this morning.

Resources Safety Health Queensland says it was notified of an ignition of methane at the Grosvenor coal mine near Moranbah.

It's the same mine where five workers suffered extensive burns after a methane explosion in May 2020.

A RSHQ spokesperson said mines inspectors were attending the site, which remains closed until it can be declared safe.

"We understand all workers have been removed from underground and accounted for, with no injuries reported," they said.

Full investigation

The fire comes just weeks after the Queensland Parliament passed new legislation aimed at improving safety in the resources sector.

One of the key amendments is the implementation of critical controls – an important recommendation from the Coal Mining Board of Inquiry.

Resources minister Scott Stewart confirmed that there had been an incident.

"There has been a serious incident at Anglo American's Grosvenor underground coal mine this morning," he said.

"Thankfully I'm told there has been no injuries but this is obviously concerning.

"I'm advised safety inspectors and workers' representatives are heading to the mine now and there will be a full investigation.

"Queenslanders have a right to come home safely from their work and I expect a full and thorough investigation into this."

Mining and Energy Union industry safety and health representative Jason Hill said any incident that had put the lives of miners at risk was a concern.

"It shouldn't happen, obviously there are some controls that have failed and that's something we need to get to the bottom of.

"Until I get there and understand what has happened we won't know more," Mr Hill said.

Explosion in 2020

In the late afternoon of May 6, 2020, emergency services raced to the Grosvenor mine, where an explosion had occurred underground.

Those in the immediate area of the blast were badly burned and one of the men describing the experience as "like standing in a blowtorch".

The Coal Mine Board of Inquiry into the disaster, as well as 40 other high-potential incidents, found the mine's gas drainage systems couldn't cope with the rate of production.

Today's incident comes as Anglo American announced the planned sale of all of its Australian coal mines after rejecting a takeover bid from rival BHP.

It owns five coking coal mines in Queensland's Bowen Basin — Moranbah North, Capcoal, Dawson, Aquila and Grosvenor.

Anglo American's five operations employ about 5,000 workers plus contractors, according to the mining union.

'Dedicated team'

Following today's fire, a spokesperson for the company said its "sole focus is our people's safety and ensuring a safe working environment for all who work at Anglo American".

"A complete and orderly withdrawal from all underground areas to the surface was completed on Saturday morning, according to our action response plan, after an incident occurred underground at Grosvenor Mine.

"A dedicated team has been established to respond to the incident.

"While the extent of the incident is still evolving, the safety of all personnel is confirmed."