Anglo American says it is in the final stages of preparation for re-entry at the Grosvenor operation, where mining has been suspended since a fire in June last year.

Grosvenor mine general manager Shane McDowall said the team was now focused on safely re-ventilating the underground environment.

This would allow personnel to carry out visual inspections underground and continue readiness activities, he said.

“We continue to work in collaboration with Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) and Industry Safety and Health Representatives (ISHRs) to ensure we meet all safety and regulatory requirements for a safe and structured re-entry as a critical next step,” he said.

Image at top of page: The team uses a clam shell grab at Shaft 6 to remove material. Foam forms as detergent is mixed with compressed nitrogen to separate underground and surface atmosphere as dirt is removed from the ventilation shaft.

Mr McDowall said the work to reach this point at the Bowen Basin longwall mine had included a number of innovations.

Crews used SLAM LiDAR (Simultaneous Localisation And Mapping/Light Detection and Ranging) technology in a new way, lowering it down boreholes to map the underground workings from the surface, he said.

“It’s helped us inspect infrastructure and conduct any damage assessments while monitoring the atmosphere underground,” Mr McDowall said.

“Handheld SLAM LiDAR may also be used to map underground workings post mines rescue reconnaissance.”

Drones also supported the recovery work through high resolution imagery and videography, methane detection, thermal imagery and airborne LiDAR.

High-resolution laser scans of critical surface infrastructure were used in the modification and fabrication for shaft ducting and fan installations, a critical part of the re-ventilation process.

Mr McDowell said the company had also trialed Boston Dynamics’ robodog at the Moranbah North mine as a potential tool to visually inspect Grosvenor mine safely.

“But what’s really stood out for me is our people,” he said.

“They’ve stepped beyond their usual roles, taken on new challenges, and grown in ways that make me incredibly proud.

“Whether it’s leadership, building new technical skills, or simply pitching in wherever needed, they’ve shown what Grosvenor is all about.

“That team spirit – people from different backgrounds coming together – has been at the heart of our progress. And because so many of our people live in Moranbah, we know how important it is to get this right for the community too.”

The Grosvenor workforce was evacuated on June 29 last year after coal gas ignited at the mine, which was also the site of an underground gas explosion in 2020 that seriously injured five workers.

Anglo’s Moranbah North longwall site also remains offline after an explosion occurred underground on March 31 this year.

An Anglo American spokeswoman said the company resumed development operations at Moranbah North early this month after approval from RSHQ.

“Development work in an underground coal mine involves establishing an advance network of roadways to enable safe coal mining,” she said.

“We remain committed to working closely with RSHQ and ISHRs as we progress with the necessary steps towards a safe and structured restart to longwall production.”

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