A new training facility in Moranbah is set to boost mines rescue capabilities and reduce response times for emergency incidents in the Bowen Basin, reinforcing the region’s position as a leader in mining safety.
Anglo American and Exxaro, joint venture partners in the Moranbah South steelmaking coal project, have leased an 18-hectare parcel of land to Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS) on the corner of Railway Road and Moranbah Access Road. The site is directly opposite the planned stage 3 expansion of the Resources Centre of Excellence.
QMRS CEO Tim Jackson said Moranbah’s central location in the Bowen Basin made it the ideal place for a purpose-built training centre.
“This facility will allow us to train more mines rescue volunteers closer to home, reducing travel time for crews and ensuring we have highly skilled responders ready when needed.”
QMRS currently operates two training stations, one at Boonal, near Blackwater, and another at Dysart, which was built 30 years ago. The new site in Moranbah will provide a modern training environment for the 450 volunteer underground team members and 50 mine inertisation unit members who maintain their skills every two months.
“Legislation requires 5 per cent of a mine site’s workforce to be trained by an accredited corporation, which is QMRS,” Tim said.
Anglo American Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen said the training centre would further enhance the region’s emergency response capabilities.
“Moranbah is home to many of the most experienced mines rescue teams in the country. Having a cutting-edge facility here will strengthen our preparedness and provide local mine workers with the best possible training.
“Our Moranbah North rescue team recently won the national underground competition, and teams from Grosvenor and Moranbah North represented Australia at the International Mines Rescue Competition in Colombia in September. This new centre will continue to build on that legacy.”
Tim said QMRS had finalised plans for the site and aimed to submit a development application in 2025, largely replicating its bespoke training centre at Boonal.
“This is about more than just training, this facility will ensure our mine workers, their families, and our community are better protected.”
The new facility is expected to deliver direct benefits to Moranbah, including reducing the need for mine rescue volunteers to travel long distances for training, creating local jobs during construction, and strengthening the town’s reputation as a key hub for mining safety.
