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.
Coal Mines Publicly announced
Strong coal prices and global demand have underpinned recent activity, including the recommissioning of Cook Colliery, and Crinum and Bluff mines.
Feasibility
Five mines are in varying stages of extension projects.
Commenced
Project
Mine
Blackwater South Coking Coal
Blackwater
Life of Mine Extension
Ensham
Kestrel West
Kestrel
M-Block Extension
Gregory Crinum
Central North Extension
Jellinbah East
2 9
10
13
Tieri
Rubyvale Sapphire
8
Washpool Taroborah
Emerald
Anakie
6
Blackwater
Minyango
Bluff
Belview
Comet
Gregory Hwy
Bogantungan
Wilton Fairhill
d
Valeria
11
F it zro
wy yH gor Gre
5
a ev R o yD
Capella
Gemini
4 Dingo Capri corn Hwy
Duaringa
Springsure Creek
Da ws on
3
7
Comet Ridge
1
Hw y
Rolleston
Fitz roy De vR oad
Springsure
Bauhinia
12
Arcadia Valley
Open cut coal mine Underground coal mine Open cut and underground coal mine Identified coal deposit Railway (electrified) Railway (non-electrified)
EIS
Environmental Impact Statement
LOM
Life of Mine*
METS
Mining Equipment, Technology and Services
Mt
Million tonnes
Mtpa
Million tonnes per annum
TOR
Terms of Reference
Workforce figures include employees and contractors. *LOM is a nominated planning figure used by mining companies. While some companies derive the figure from the total reserve, others base it on a smaller, defined area and will extend operations over time. The figure, therefore, does not necessarily mean the end of operations or economic resource.
1
5
Blackwater
9
Gregory Crinum
Owners
BHP Billiton (50%), Mitsubishi (50%)
Owners
Sojitz Blue
Operator
Crinum
Operator
BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)
Gregory
Type Coal
Open cut Metallurgical (95%) Thermal (5%)
Production
14.9 Mtpa
Workforce
800
Reserve
375 Mt
LOM
2046
BMA’s Blackwater South Coking Coal project was identified as a Queensland Government Coordinated Project in 2022. Work has commenced on the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
2
Ensham
Owners
Idemistu Australia (85%), Bowen Investment (15%)
Operator
Ensham Resources
Type
Open cut and underground
Coal
Thermal
Production
4.5 Mtpa
Workforce
600
Reserve
720 Mt
LOM
2028
Ensham’s Life of Mine extension proposes to move the underground mining operations to the west, extending the life of the mine to 2037. The project is waiting on approvals due in 2022 and 2024.
3
Meteor Downs South
Owners
U & D Mining (50%), Sojitz Blue (50%)
Metallurgical
Metallurgical
Production
2 Mtpa
1.5 Mtpa
Coal
Workforce
400
300
Reserve
110 Mt
20 Mt
Production
4 Mtpa
LOM
2039
2038
Workforce
660
Reserve
240 Mt
LOM
2030
Crinum Mine was recommissioned in 2021. Once the remaining underground resource is extracted, mining will move to M-Block, an area west of the existing mining area. Open cut methods will be used for the first three years before going underground.
6
Minerva
Owners
Sojitz Blue (96%), Korea Resources (4%)
Operator
Sojitz Blue
Type
Open cut
Coal
Thermal
Production
1.5 Mtpa
Workforce
0
Reserve
76 Mt
LOM
2024
Minerva mine has gone into care and maintenance.
7
Cook Colliery
Owners
Q Coal
Operator
Mastermyne
Type
Underground
Coal
Metallurgical (85%) 1.1 Mtpa
Coal
Thermal
180
Production
Workforce
1.5 Mtpa
75 Mt
Workforce
Reserve
70
LOM
2027*
Reserve
13 Mt
Cook Colliery was recommissioned in 2021.
LOM
2030
*Mastermyne were appointed mine operator for 6 years.
8 HSE Mining
Type
Open cut
Coal
Metallurgical
Production
1 Mtpa
Workforce
150
Reserve
13.5 Mt
LOM
2028
Bluff Mine was recommissioned in 2022.
Open cut and underground
Coal
Production
Bowen PCI
Glencore
Type
Underground
Open cut
Operator
Operator
Mastermyne
Open cut
Type
Owners
Glencore (55%), Sumisho Coal (25%), Itochu Coal Resources (10%), ICRA OC (10%)
Sojitz Blue
Sojitz Blue
Bluff
Owners
Type
Operator
4
Oaky Creek
Thermal (15%)
Jellinbah East
Thermal (50%)
Curragh
Owners
Coronado Global Resources
Operator
Coronado Global Resources, Theiss, NRW Holdings
Type
Open cut
Coal
Metallurgical (70%) Thermal (30%)
Production
11.3 Mtpa
Workforce
2030
Reserve
266 Mt
LOM
2041
Curragh has plans to expand to 13.5 Mtpa saleable production by 2025.
11
Kestrel
Owners
EMR Capital & Adaro Energy (80%), Mitsui Investment (20%)
Operator
Kestrel Coal Resources
Type
Underground
Coal
Metallurgical (90%) Thermal (10%)
Production
7 Mtpa
Workforce
650
Reserve
190 Mt
LOM
2033
Kestrel has commenced feasibility definition study of the Kestrel West project area. If approved, the project would extend the life of mine to 2049.
12
Rolleston
Owners
Glencore
Operator
Glencore
Jellinbah Mining
Type
Open cut
Open cut
Coal
Thermal
Metallurgical (95%)
Production
15 Mtpa
Workforce
800
Reserve
175 Mt
LOM
2045
Owners
Jellinbah Group (70%), Marubeni Coal (15%), Sojitz Blue (15%)
Operator Type Coal
10
Metallurgical (50%)
Thermal (5%)
Production
5.2 Mtpa
Workforce
460
Reserve
185 Mt
LOM
2055
Jellinbah commenced the Central North extension in 2022, using local civil earthworks contractors to develop the infrastructure required. It has been integrated into Jellinbah Central pit and mining is occurring in this area.
13
Yarrabee
Owners
Yancoal
Operator
Yancoal
Type
Open cut
Coal
Metallurgical
Production
3.5 Mtpa
Workforce
460
Reserve
81 Mt
LOM
2060
Pipeline Projects
Local Procurement Strategies
There are nine greenfield coal projects in the local pipeline, with potential to convert into mining activity.
The Central Highlands mining industry spends over $790 million on local goods and services, which is estimated to be 30 percent of total spend.
Publicly announced
Feasibility
Project
Company
Capacity Mtpa
Belview
Stanmore Coal
2.6
Comet Ridge
Bowen Coking Coal
0.5
Gemini
Magnetic South
1.8
Minyango
Bounty Mining
7
Springsure Creek
Adamelia Resources
7
Community Support Programs
Taroborah
Shenhuo Group
5.7
Valeria
Glencore
20
Washpool
Aquila Resources
2.6
Wilton Fairhill
Futura Resources
2.6
Going beyond their role as an employer, mining companies invest in partnerships, sponsorships and funding programs to strengthen the communities in which they operate. Most programs are targeted at community and not for profit groups, and have specific criteria and deadlines. Scan the QR Code for links to programs and contact details.
These projects have not been committed to, and are only potential investments that may occur under the appropriate conditions. Projects that are deemed as ‘possible’ to proceed, based on recent development activity, include Valeria and Wilton Fairhill.
Mining companies have procurement strategies to optimise opportunities for local businesses. Scan the QR Code for supplier registration information and contact details.
Investment Opportunities Strategically located to service the Bowen and Galilee Basins, and well supported by existing infrastructure and logistics, the Central Highlands is a prime destination for companies servicing the mining industry.
Valeria Coal Sponsor
Glencore
Type
Open cut
Coal
Metallurgical and Thermal
LOM
35 years
Workforce
1250
Status
The project is currently undergoing Queensland State and Commonwealth assessment processes. The TOR are expected to be completed this year, the EIS in 2023 and project determination in 2024. Depending on the outcome of these processes, construction could begin as early as 2025 and operations in late 2027.
$3.1 billion of goods and services are imported from the rest of Australia by local mining companies, representing gaps in the local supply chain. These imports indicate opportunities for import replacement, increased value-adding and supply chain development. Central Highlands Import Replacement Opportunities
Wilton Fairhill Project Sponsor
Futura Resources
Type
Open cut
Coal
Metallurgical
LOM
20+ years
Workforce
300
Status
Final environmental approvals have been received and the project is awaiting the final investment decision to progress to a mining lease grant. The operation will utilise nearby infrastructure, such as that of the Gregory Crinum complex, to process and rail product coal.
26% Manufacturing 18% Mining The information has been sourced and compiled by Central Highlands Development Corporation. Every care is taken to ensure the content is current and factual at the time of release. CHDC take no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions. Published August 2022.
9% Financial Services
11% Transport
6% Construction
10% Professional Services
16% Other
4% Wholesale Trade
Central Highlands Development Corporation 76 Egerton Street Emerald Q 4720
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