The Caval Ridge mine is a large open-cut metallurgical coal operation located in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, about 6km south-east of Moranbah in Central Queensland. The mine is operated by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), a joint venture between BHP and Mitsubishi Corporation, and is one of the newer developments within the company’s Bowen Basin portfolio.

Caval Ridge produces hard coking coal used in steelmaking. Mining is conducted using conventional open-cut methods, including drilling and blasting followed by truck-and-shovel extraction of coal seams within the Bowen Basin’s Permian coal measures.

Coal from Caval Ridge is processed through the nearby Peak Downs Coal Handling and Preparation Plant before being transported by rail along the Goonyella rail network to export terminals at the Port of Hay Point near Mackay.

The mine commenced production in 2014 and was developed as a major expansion of BMA’s operations in the region. Caval Ridge is capable of producing several million tonnes of metallurgical coal each year and contributes significantly to Queensland’s coal export industry.