MOURA
A tragic history underpins the psyche
of Moura. That said the community has adopted a very ‘can do’ energy
and lifestyle attitude.  
Moura is a ‘new’ mining town that is
more than 150% dependant on the economics of coal mining activities.
Coal Mining is big in this area and has a both visual and significant
impact on the environment in the area. 
There have been three mining
disasters that have occurred near Moura:
-
The first was the Kiang disaster
occurring due to an explosion in the underground workings of the
Kianga No. 1 mine on 20 September 1975, claiming 13 miners' lives.
-
The second, on 16 July 1986, was
an explosion in the Moura No. 4 undergrounds mine, claiming twelve
miners' lives, the youngest miner being 18.
-
The third was an explosion in the
Moura No. 2 underground coal mine on 7 August 1994. Rescue and
recovery attempts were abandoned after a second, more violent
explosion occurred 18 hours later. Eleven miners' lives had been
lost and the mine was sealed at the surface.
After this, underground mining was
closed and the area was operated as an open-cut coal mine. The mining
world learnt many safety practices from these tragic events. The Moura
Museum has all the details on display. 
Tourism activities from the mines
were not apparent.
Beef, cotton and cereals are other
major industries of the area.
The Moura War Memorial is at the
RSA Club.
The churches are of the modern era. 
The Moura Hotel has a high profile
on the highway. 
Moura is a nice community that
deserves an overnight stopover.
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