An underground coal miner who worked in central Queensland has become the 19th person diagnosed with black lung disease in less than two years.
The disease, once thought to have been eradicated in Australia, has recently re-emerged and the mining union has blamed poor dust management practices at mine sites.
The CFMEU is demanding mining companies contribute 10 cents for every tonne of coal produced in Queensland to a support fund for victims.
The union says the number of affected workers will rise in coming years, as the effects of poor dust control practices and substandard health checks on workers come to light.
Just last month, NSW recorded its first black lung case in almost 50 years. The other 18 cases are all from Queensland.
Union spokesman Stephen Smyth says the latest worker to be diagnosed does not want to be identified, but that he worked underground at a coal mine in central Queensland.
Mr Smyth says it's time for the mining industry to step up and take financial responsibility for sick workers.
"The system of identifying and remedying the causes of the disease have clearly failed, and it is workers and their families who are paying the price," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The mining industry sits at the centre of the problem and it is the mining industry that needs to play a key role in supporting victims and their families."
Mr Smyth said sick workers will need long -term support.
"While many workers are not sick enough to stay home and get support, they are too sick to keep their current jobs in the mining sector, losing their livelihoods, with no course of action to support their families," he said.
Black lung is caused by prolonged and close exposure to respirable coal dust and the gradual build up of coal dust particles in lung tissue.
