Anglo American has set the wheels in motion for environmental sign-off to extend longwall panels and enhance gas drainage and ventilation as its Moranbah North and Grosvenor operations advance.

The projects’ referrals for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act are open for public feedback until July 14.

Anglo vice president – legal and sustainability Ben Houston said the proposed work would allow the operations to continually refine gas drainage, ventilation and inertisation systems to meet strict safety requirements and help curb emissions.

“The proposal supports the planned progression of mining within our existing approved mining footprint,” he said.

“It does not change the volume of coal seam gas extracted. It enables gas to be drained, captured and transferred effectively to help maintain safe underground mining conditions and continue reducing emissions.

“We reduce our vented methane by capturing coal seam gas and supplying it to our energy partner EDL, which uses this gas to generate up to 145 MW of electricity, providing energy back to our operations and into the market.”

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This provided enough electricity to power more than 100,000 Queensland homes and reduced Anglo emissions by about 5 million tonnes of CO₂e a year, he said.

The referral relating to the Moranbah North mine extension covers the proposed continuation of the site’s “100s series” longwall panels to the south of the existing approved underground mining boundary.

This extension would involve the continuation of the relevant longwall panels into the northern portion of the neighbouring Grosvenor mining lease.

Longwall mining in the relevant panels is expected to first cross into ML70378 in the 2030s.

The proposed action also includes the installation of enhanced and updated gas drainage, inertisation and ventilation practices which are essential to the safety of underground longwall mining operations

A separate referral covers similar work at Grosvenor as the underground operations there progress.

Anglo noted in the supporting paperwork that the proposed action was necessary to respond to evolving safety obligations, operational conditions, and gas drainage requirements that had arisen since it was granted approval for mine extensions at the neighbouring sites.

“This proposal is an important enabler for the continued safe and sustainable long-term future of the Grosvenor and Moranbah North operations and their ongoing role as major employers contributing to the Moranbah community and regional economy,” Mr Houston said.

“We are committed to working closely with our stakeholders and the Moranbah community to ensure this project is managed responsibly and in line with our environmental commitments.”

Anglo American reached an agreement in May to sell its Queensland steelmaking coal operations – including Moranbah North and Grosvenor – to UK-registered mining company Dhilmar for up to $5.43 billion ($US3.875 billion) cash.