A mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin is about to be re-born with Coronado Global Resources starting up an underground Bord and Pillar Operation on the Mammoth seam – the surface of which had been mined over a century ago.
Subject to contract finalisation and regulatory approvals, the Mammoth Underground operation at Curragh Mine complex will be operated by Eclipse Mining with the first metallurgical coal expected to be mined in December this year.
The Mammoth Seam was first discovered, named and mined in the early 1900s and has since remained untouched in its underground capacity until Coronado saw an opportunity for strong, organic growth.
It’s located within the Curragh complex approximately 14-kilometres north of Blackwater. The underground operation will form part of that complex that already consists of two open cut mines – Curragh South and Curragh North. Curragh has been operating since 1983 and was acquired by Coronado in 2018.
Once the mine is fully operational, it will produce 1.5 to 2 million run-of-mine tonnes of metallurgical coal for export and steelmaking. Approximately 200 people will be employed at the site when it is fully operating by the end of the year.
The development of the underground operation has been done using an existing highwall. The reserves Coronado are planning to dig out will use that existing open cut high pit wall in S-Pit.
Coronado said the coal handling preparation plant, train load out, port and rail contracts are all going to be able to take on the additional tonnages of coal that will be mined.
Coronado’s Vice President Investor Relations and Communications Andrew Mooney said they see a very positive future for metallurgical coal.
“‘Steel Starts Here’ is our motto. The inherent chemistry of steel production requires both mined iron ore and met coal commodities, and it is these commodities that underpin existing steel uses, such as for automobiles, transportation infrastructure and buildings, among others.
“But steel is also a critical commodity in the development of all low-carbon technologies including hydro, wind, solar, nuclear and electric vehicles. In fact, McKinsey research states that steel is the number one critical commodity used in the development and advancement of renewables for a low-carbon future.
“Simply put, global steel production is forecast to grow 16% between now and 2050, led by substantial growth in India using traditional steel making technologies that use met coal.
“Our industry and business are here for some time to come,” said Andrew.
