Suicide in the Australian Mining Industry: Assessment of Rates among Male Workers Using 19 Years of Coronial Data

Abstract

Background

International evidence shows that mining workers are at greater risk of suicide than other workers; however, it is not known whether this applies to the Australian mining sector.

Methods

Using data from the National Coronial Information System, rates of suicide among male mining workers were compared to those of three comparators: construction workers, mining and construction workers combined, and all other workers. Age-standardized suicide rates were calculated for 2001–2019 and across three intervals ‘2001–2006’, ‘2007–2011’, and ‘2012–2019’. Incidence rate ratios for suicide were calculated to compare incidence rates for mining workers, to those of the three comparative groups.

Results

The suicide rate for male mining workers in Australia was estimated to be between 11 and 25 per 100,000 (likely closer to 25 per 100,000) over the period of 2001–2019. There was also evidence that the suicide rate among mining workers is increasing, and the suicide rate among mining workers for the period 2012–2019 was significantly higher than the other worker group.

Conclusions

Based on available data, we tentatively deduce that suicide mortality among male mining workers is of concern. More information is needed on both industry and occupation of suicide decedents in order to better assess whether, and the extent to which, mining workers (and other industries and occupations) are at increased risk of suicide.