Major expansion for Peak Downs Mine at Moranbah reaches next step

A coal mining giant with sprawling mines in Central Qld has reached the next step to expand its behemoth operations which if approved will unlock hundreds of jobs.

BMA Peak Downs open cut coking coal mine operation near Moranbah in the Bowen Basin.

A coal mine is hoping to add another 93 years to its lifespan with a major expansion but it will have to jump through further hoops before it get the green light.

Mining giant BMA lodged an application to expand its open cut coking coal mine at Peak Downs in the Bowen Basin, about 30km southeast of Moranbah, west of Mackay.

If approved, the mine will expand east with dragline and truck and shovel methods of run-of-mine coal covering a 4062ha area.

An aerial image of the Peak Downs mine. Pic: State of Queensland 2023

To do so, it will relocate “various third party infrastructure” including the Peak Downs Mine Rd and “associated rail level crossing”; part of a 132kV transmission line; a 132kV substation feeder; and the Eungella Water Pipeline Southern Extension.

There is also proposed exploration activity as well as “progressive rehabilitation” of the mine.

The mine’s application has already passed the phase for public comment, as required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

A decision was published on the EPBC portal on January 9 stating the expansion project – classified as a “controlled action” – would require further “assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed”.

BMA, a 50-50 joint venture between BHP and Mitsubishi Development, operates a number of large throughout Central Queensland including at Blackwater, Goonyella Riverside, Saraji, and Peak Downs, among others.

Map of the Bowen Basin. Pic: Cathy O'Mullan

If the Peak Downs project is approved, it would guarantee mining industry jobs for decades into the future.

The plans come after it was revealed a number of Moranbah businesses were struggling to hold onto staff as they sought more lucrative jobs in mining, with many roles offered as ‘cleanskin’ positions. 

This includes restaurant Mexicana with co-owner Mark O’Dwyer saying four out of five people who moved to Moranbah were primarily looking for mining work.

News of Peak Downs’ plans are a sharp contrast to Glencore’s, which spectacularly announced it would not proceed with its $1.5 billion Valeria Coal mine, shortly after the Queensland Government hiked up coal royalties.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will steer the “assessment and approval” stage of BMA’s proposal.