A Central Queensland mine will soon expand its operations, creating more than 150 jobs in the process.
The sale agreement between MetRes – a joint venture between Stanmore Coal and M Resources – and Peabody Energy Australia would allow the restart of the Millennium and Mavis Downs coal mines near Moranbah.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart said this venture will create more than 150 jobs through investment in underground expansions and completion of rehabilitation obligations.
“With a predicted mine life of 22 years including rehabilitation, these are lasting jobs and will create long-term royalties that will benefit all Queenslanders,” Stewart said.
“This investment is a strong sign of the growing confidence in our resources sector as Queensland continues its road to economic recovery.”
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Queensland’s Stanmore Coal purchased their first open cut coal mine off Brazil’s Vale and Japan’s Sumitomo in 2015.
As part of the sale, Stanmore took on a $32 million rehabilitation obligation associated with the mine.
The Millennium and Mavis Downs mines will feature a mix of open cut, high wall and underground mining methods used for the extraction of high-quality metallurgical coal.
The project will have a total production of 13.9 million tonnes of metallurgical coal during its lifespan.
Stewart said the Queensland Government would continue to support the resources sector for the royalties and jobs it generates, particularly in regional Queensland.
“The resources sector supports more than 84,000 jobs across Queensland and represents $44 billion in exports,” he said.
“The sector has played a vital role in supporting jobs during the pandemic and will continue to do so into the future.
“Queensland is naturally blessed with the world’s highest quality metallurgical coal, which the world needs to make steel.”