The Peak Downs Mine is one of the largest open-cut coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, located about 30km north-east of Moranbah.

The mine is operated by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA), a joint venture between BHP and Mitsubishi Corporation, and is a cornerstone asset within BMA’s portfolio of metallurgical coal operations.

Mining at Peak Downs commenced in 1972, and the operation has since expanded into a large multi-pit open-cut mine targeting high-quality hard coking coal used in global steel production.

The mine utilises truck-and-shovel mining methods, extracting coal from multiple seams within the Permian-aged coal measures of the Bowen Basin.

The site includes a coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) that processes raw coal into export-grade product.

Peak Downs has a production capacity of approximately 10–12Mt of saleable coal per year, making it one of Australia’s most significant sources of metallurgical coal.

Once processed, coal is transported via the Goonyella rail network to export terminals at Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay near Mackay, where it is shipped to international steelmakers, particularly in Asia.