The mine explosion deaths last week of two Cobar locals — a man and a woman — and the serious injury of a third, is a reminder of how potentially dangerous the industry still can be.

The Cobar mine victims have now been identified as Holly Clarke, 24, and Patrick McMullen, 66, with Cobar Shire Council Mayor Jarrod Marsden calling for an “open and transparent” investigation after the freak accident.

Cr Marsden revealed that the tight-knit mining mining community is in shock after the “devastating” tragedy early Tuesday morning last week.

Emergency services were called to a mining site on Endeavour Mine Road at Cobar, about 450km east of Broken Hill, after reports two people suffered critical injuries on a worksite about 3.45am.

The NSW Mineworkers' Alliance (NSWMWA) echoed the mayor’s sentiments and reinforced calls to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy at the Endeavour silver, zinc, and lead mine, NSW Mineworkers' Alliance spokesperson Tony Callinan said.

“We will leave no stone unturned in identifying what has occurred here; this is a tragic reminder that underground mining is a dangerous job,” Mr Callinan said.

“Events like these send shockwaves through our entire mining industry, this is a reminder why the union always emphasises safety over production,” he concluded.

A second woman, Mackenzie Stirling, 24, remains in Cobar Hospital and is being treated for hearing damage and shock.

Investigating police will prepare a report for the coroner on the incident and assist SafeWork NSW in its investigation.

Mining company Polymetals owns the mining site located in the Cobar Basin in central-western NSW and according to their website, the mine was in operation from 1982–2020 before being acquired by the company in 2023 aiming to revive its mining activities.

Mining has been active at Cobar for more than a century with an industry memorial celebrating and commemorating the industry.