Millennium Mine reopens after 17 months

First coal has been struck and is set to be shipped to steelmakers across the globe by the end of the year from a project tipped to create more than 230 jobs this year.

A mothballed mine near Moranbah has reopened in a world “hungry for metallurgical coal”.

Millennium Mine, which is set to create more than 230 jobs this year, was officially opened on Wednesday after being acquired in mid-July.

MetRes is investing $464 million to re-start and operate the Coppabella mine which had been under care and maintenance for 17 months.

In late September, Millennium produced its first coal, with shipments of premium coking coal to begin before the end of the year.

It is forecast production will rise to more than 1.2 million tonnes each year from July 2022.

MetRes chairman Matt Latimore said nearby communities would be supported through the mine’s opening, with about 75 per cent of the Millennium Mine operating workforce from Central Queensland.

“Through existing infrastructure and a substantial resource remaining, we know Millennium has more to give, and we are pleased to see the mine again generating jobs and opportunity for the region and economy,” he said.

L to R: Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation chairwoman Luarna Walsh, MetRes chairman Matt Latimore, Isaac Mayor Anne Baker, Resources Minister Scott Stewart. Picture: Contributed

“Millennium Mine is heading into fortunate times with high prices and a world hungry for metallurgical coal resources.

“Millennium will make high quality coal for steel making available to our trading partners which will support a global green energy transition.

“Every wind turbine, solar panel, energy transmission upgrade, every single hydrogen pipeline and storage tank requires steel.

“As the world invests in a low emissions future, there will only be more demand for Queensland’s premium coking coal.”

First coal at Millennium mine near Moranbah.

Speaking at the mine on Wednesday, Resources Minister Scott Stewart said Millennium was a home-grown maroon success story.

“Queensland has high quality resources, a skilled workforce and world-class infrastructure but it takes investors to turn these into jobs and business opportunities in our regional communities,” he said.

“We support the vision of Queensland companies and investors who are able to innovate, utilising these resources and making them available to the world.”

The Millennium mine began operations in August, 17 months after being mothballed by previous owner Peabody Energy.

The mine is supporting 100 jobs during construction and more than 230 ongoing full-time jobs.

First coal has been struck at Millennium Mine near Moranbah.

Mr Stewart said Queensland’s resources sector had been a steady source of employment and economic security for Queenslanders for the past 12 months.

“Despite the global pandemic, an average almost 80,000 people have been employed in mining over the past year – a 21 per cent increase on the same period the previous year,” he said.

“Now we see five new and reopened mines in Queensland in just under four months, together supporting more than 1500 jobs.”

Stanmore opened its new Isaac Downs mine on its Isaac Plains complex near Moranbah in August, supporting up to 550 jobs.

Te Vulcan open cut metallurgical coal mine, also near Moranbah, received its final approvals in September, and will support up to 150 jobs.

In the North-West Minerals Province, he mothballed Rocklands copper mine near Cloncurry will return to full production this month, supporting up to 150 jobs.

Multicom Resources starts construction next year on its $250 million Saint Elmo vanadium mine near Julia Creek, supporting up to 400 regional jobs.

Another $1 billion resources project is also on the cards: the $1 billion Winchester South coal mine 30km southeast of Moranbah, forecast to create 1000 new jobs and generate more than $500 million in royalties.

Millennium mine is owned by a 50/50 joint venture of M Resources and Stanmore Resources.

Stanmore also owns and operates the Isaac Plains & Isaac Downs coal mines.