Centurion Mine delivers first coal shipment after fire shut down operation

A global mining giant has waved off its first coal shipment from its Bowen Basin mine, which had been shut for more than five years after a spontaneous underground blaze halted production at the site.

Peabody has successfully shipped the first product from its Centurion Mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

A global mining giant has waved off its first coal shipment from its flagship Bowen Basin mine, which had been shut for more than five years after a spontaneous underground blaze halted production at the site.

Peabody successfully shipped the first product from its Centurion Mine – formerly North Goonyella – marking another major milestone in the redevelopment of the premium hard coking coal mine.

The mine was temporary closed in September 2018 after thick black smoke was seen billowing from the underground site, about 65km north of Moranbah and 160km west of Mackay, when a spontaneous fire sparked despite efforts to treat the oxidation levels.

However after five years mine operator Peabody was able to successfully re-enter the mine and later resume work.

Smoke billows from North Goonyella mine – now Centurion.

The inaugural shipment was delivered to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and loaded for export to a customer in Asia last week and is the next step toward higher-volume longwall production that is targeted to begin in March 2026.

“Two years ago, we announced the redevelopment of this mine with a plan to transform it into a world-class operation supplying premium hard coking coal to global markets, and this week we’re delivering on that plan,” Peabody President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Grech said in a statement.

Peabody has successfully shipped the first product from its Centurion Mine in the Bowen Basin.

“This is the first strategic step in transforming Peabody into a primarily metallurgical coal producer, and we are proud of the strong progress being made.”

With a planned annual production averaging 4.7m tons and approximately 140m tons of reserves, the operation has a mine life of more than 25 years.

Peabody has successfully shipped the first product from its Centurion Mine.

Centurion is also advancing Peabody’s commitment to sustainability with predevelopment works underway for 5 megawatt power station at the mine supporting the project’s emission abatement goals by reusing waste gas from the coal seams.

In November, the company announced an agreement to acquire four Tier 1 steelmaking coal mines from Anglo American.

The completion of that acquisition is intended for mid-2025.

Peabody has also recently reopened one of its private roads – Ellensfield Road – for light vehicles travelling between Glenden, Moranbah and surrounding areas.

The 19.25km stretch of private road, initially built for mine-only access for Centurion mine but was used frequently by local residents and travellers, is an important link between the Suttor Development Road and Red Hill Road.

Originally published as Centurion Mine delivers first coal shipment after fire shut down operation