New $1B Central Qld coal operation opens

Hundreds of employees celebrated a new resources development in Queensland’s Isaac region.

More than 700 workers recently applauded the official opening of Pembroke Resources’ Olive Downs Coking Coal Project, 40km southeast of Moranbah.

“We are thrilled to have achieved this significant milestone at the world’s newest steelmaking coal mine,” Pembroke chairman and CEO Barry Tudor said in a public statement.

State Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart commended the mine for employing up to 1000 people in the next decade and supporting nearly 44,000 indirect positions across the entire supply chain.

“Global demand for Queensland’s steel-making coal will continue growing over the coming decade because steel is essential for the global transition to clean energy; to make solar power panels, electric cars and wind turbines,” he said.

The operation will produce up to 15 million tonnes of product annually over the next 80 years.

Coal will be transported via rail to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, Japan, India, South Korea and other offshore markets.

Thiess was recently procured to deploy 21 driverless haul trucks and three drills fitted with the same technology. A private LTE network will also operate on existing communication infrastructure, enabling safe operation of more than 85 connected assets within the autonomous operating zone.

At full capacity 15 autonomous Cat 794 AC trucks, six autonomous Cat 793F trucks and three autonomous Cat MD6310 drills will operate at the same mine site. Cat MineStar Command technology will simultaneously control both hauling and drilling.

More than 280 team members were upskilled to support delivery of autonomous operations for improved safety, operating hours, cycle efficiency and cost savings.