Mining
$9.4billion output
Coal Type The Central Highlands is More than 60 percent of coal produced located in the heart of the is metallurgical, including coking Bowen Basin, Australia’s coal and pulverised coal for injection largest coal reserve, and is (PCI). Metallurgical coal is higher in carbon, typically low in moisture and home to 12 operating mines. is an essential part of the steel making The region produces more process. The remaining coal is thermal, than 62 million tonnes of coal used for making steam and generating electricity. per annum, which represents 28 percent of Queensland’s Markets total production. A majority (90%) of the region’s coal is Central Highlands Coal Export Markets
exported overseas, via the Gladstone ports of RG Tanna and the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal. More than 55 million tonnes are exported annually, to customers in Japan, India and Korea. Coal is also railed to domestic markets, including power stations (Stanwell and Gladstone), steel manufacturers and smaller users such as meat processors and road transport.
Employment
30% Japan
5% Vietnam
27% India
5% Taiwan
9% Korea
5% South Korea
5% Singapore
7% Other
Mining is the largest employer in the Central Highlands, with a direct workforce exceeding 6,000 people. Half (55%) of those workers are nonresidents, commuting by road and air from Rockhampton, Mackay and South East Queensland. Ninety percent of nonresident workers stay in accommodation villages and 10 percent in other accommodation such as motels, hotels and caravan parks.
Mining Equipment, Technology and Services Beyond the pit, the Central Highlands has a thriving and well established mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector, servicing the Bowen and Galilee Basins. Businesses are active across the complete mining supply chain, including mine development, training, equipment supply, consultancy and rehabilitation. Once a transactional relationship, METS companies are now partnering with mining organisations to develop innovative, commercially viable and environmentally sustainable solutions. One such solution is the Fairbairn Dam Soil Salvage Project, which aims to recover 10 million tonnes of natural soil from the Fairbairn Dam to reuse in coal mine rehabilitation. Some mines across Central Queensland have not preserved sufficient soil to rehabilitate all mined land. The project will provide a large, local and reliable source of soil over the next 15 years. As an added benefit, the project will increase the storage of the dam by approximately 8,000 megalitres and create up to 60 full time jobs.