Thousands of jobs on offer across 77 mining sectors in Bowen Basin projects

Thousands of jobs across 77 fields will be generated through seven mining projects that will generate $3 billion in procurement opportunities. See the breakdown of projects, and what’s on offer.

Thousands of jobs will be created through seven new metallurgical and torbanite projects which will be tendered at the Connecting Coal Conference this month. Picture: News Regional Media

Thousands of jobs will be created across 77 different workforce and construction categories through seven new metallurgical and torbanite projects in the Bowen Basin.

The projects will generate $3 billion in procurement opportunities that will be highlighted in the state’s resource and construction supply chain at an online industry conference, Connecting Coal Conference Queensland, in November.

Decision makers from seven major projects across the Bowen Basin will present their plans for construction and development to attract tenders.

Event organiser and Connecting Industry managing director Kieran Moran said the event assists the resource, construction, engineering, manufacturing, logistics and services sector on the latest project and procurement information.

Renowned metallurgical coal sector leader Bede Boyle says surging metallurgical coal prices is a driver for new projects in the region. Picture: Contributed

“The Connecting Coal Conference Queensland aims to stimulate procurement, business development, and solution-based opportunities by presenting latest supply chain opportunities,” he said.

“The strategic focus of the conference is to highlight metallurgical and torbanite coal mining projects and their potential procurement opportunities over the next three years to assist industry and the supply chain in their planning for future work opportunities.”

HiValue Strategies founder and renowned metallurgical coal sector figurehead Bede Boyle is one of the main strategists and commentators on Australia’s coal sector.

“Surging metallurgical coal price is a driver for new projects, certainly in Queensland,” Mr Boyle said.

M Resources

Mavis and Millennium Downs Metallurgical coal mine restart: M Resources acquired the mines from Peabody Energy Australia in a joint venture (MetRes) with Stanmore Coal in April 2021.

Located near Moranbah, the restart of the Mavis and Millennium Downs Mines will allow underground expansion, along with continuation and completion of rehabilitation.

“M Mining will be the JV Manager and Operator and will extract full value from the mines by streamlining operations through auger and open cut mining methods followed by underground extension from the existing highwalls to achieve low-cost mining and stable production of low ash, high quality metallurgical coal which remains an essential component of the steelmaking process,” Mr Boyle said.

Mastermyne Group

Gregory Crinum Underground mine: Mastermyne won the seven-year contract to operate the Sojitz Blue-owned Gregory Crinum Underground mine, 60km east of Emerald.

The project requires re-establishing all mining infrastructure and re-entry through the Crinum South drifts and accessing virgin coal areas adjacent to the pit bottom area.

Production is planned for mid 2021.

Cook Colliery Mine: The project will be restarted over two distinct phases with the first phase starting immediately.

Stage One works include the recommencement of the underground operations including bringing the operation out of care and maintenance, and transitioning back into production.

“Stage One works will include recommissioning of underground infrastructure, overhauling of mining equipment, establishment of production panels, and all other associated administrative and procurement works. Stage One work is to be completed by late 2021.”

Bowen Coking Coal Ltd

Broadmeadow East Coking Coal: The Broadmeadow East Coking Coal project, 25km northeast of Moranbah, is described as an advanced exploration project, with a granted mining lease.

Bowen Coking Coal Ltd is forecasting production from Broadmeadow East over the next 12 months.

Isaac River Coking Coal Project: The project is about 30km west of Moranbah.

Bowen Coking Coal Ltd is focused on finalising permits at the Isaac River project with the key studies now completed.

State and federal government approvals are progressing.

“Given the relatively small resource [measured and indicated resources of 8.35Mt], the assessment of reasonable prospects for economic extraction has been based on a likely scenario of minimal on-site development and infrastructure with coal washing and other services to be negotiated with nearby operations,” Mr Boyle said.

Bluff Mine: Bowen Coking Coal Ltd is in the process of buying the Bluff Mine, an open cut mine in the southern Bowen Basin, 20km east of Blackwater.

Mining is targeted to begin in early 2022.

Greenvale Mining

Alpha Toranite Project: The Alpha Toranite Project is about 50km south of Alpha.

Greenvale Mining will deliver a maiden JORC mineral resource for Alpha by late 2021, followed by the feasibility study.

The project includes a 100MW solar and gas-fired hybrid power station.

Construction is expected to commence in late 2022.

Originally published as Thousands of jobs on offer across 77 mining sectors in Bowen Basin projects