Anglo American’s new Aquila mine strikes first longwall shear as coal prices boom

A Central Queensland mining giant has achieved its first longwall shear of coal at its transformed mine just as prices blow gold. Watch the video.

Anglo American’s transformed Aquila mine is almost ready to go just as coal prices blow gold all over Central Queensland.

The mining giant achieved its first longwall shear of metallurgical coal at its new $323m Aquila mine near Middlemount following a multi-year technological transformation.

The Aquila mine is part of Anglo American’s Capcoal complex, which includes Capcoal open cut mine, Grasstree mine, a coal handling and preparation plant and associated infrastructure. Picture: Supplied

The original bord and pillar mine was put into care and maintenance in 2013 and Anglo invested millions to integrate underground automation technology, remote operations and data analytics into the revived operation.

Anglo American Metallurgical Coal business CEO Tyler Mitchelson said the mine was now one of the most technologically advanced in the world.

Aquila will have a total average annual saleable production of about five million tonnes of premium quality hard coking coal. Picture: Supplied

“The mine features two longwalls, allowing us to operate without the downtime that is usually required for longwall moves,” he said.

“Both longwalls are fully remote capable and will be sequentially operated from our site-based remote operations centre on the surface of the mine.

Anglo American’s Australian CEO Tyler Mitchelson. Picture: Mike Ellis Photography/Contributed

“Remote operations present us with the single biggest opportunity to improve safety by removing people from harm’s way.

Anglo’s remote operation centres are located on-site.

Aquila will have a total average annual saleable production of about five million tonnes of premium quality hard coking coal, which is used in the steelmaking process.

The mine is part of the company’s Capcoal complex, which includes Capcoal open cut mine, Grasstree mine, a coal handling and preparation plant and associated infrastructure.

Mr Mitchelson said the mine would support 600 ongoing operational jobs over its seven-year lifespan.

Justin Broomhall works as a longwall integration specialist in the remote operations centre. Picture: Supplied

“Safely starting up longwall mining at Aquila Mine, on our original schedule and on budget, is an important milestone for our metallurgical coal business and will support our ongoing contribution to both the Middlemount community and Queensland’s economy,” he said.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart has welcomed Aquila’s contribution to the state’s post Covid economic recovery.

“About 85 per cent of the metallurgical coal that we do mine in Queensland, particularly around that Central Queensland area, is exported,” he said.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“The price of those commodities have gone through the roof.

“So this time last year they were about $US130 a tonne, which caused a lot of concern, but that price is now over $US400 a tonne.

“This is great for our economy and it’s great for creating further jobs and those indirect jobs that come behind the mining industry as well.”

Originally published as Anglo American’s new Aquila mine strikes first longwall shear as coal prices boom