Pembroke Resources has kicked off mining at the Olive Downs Complex near Moranbah.

Teams from Pembroke and Thiess, along with executives of Caterpillar, Liebherr and Hastings Deering, celebrated the shifting of first dirt today.

The operation boasts a number of operational ‘firsts’ including the first autonomous-ready 794 AC haul trucks to be deployed in Australia and the first deployment of CAT’s autonomous haulage system (AHS) and autonomous drilling system in Australia.

Mining contractor Thiess – in partnership with Pembroke, Caterpillar and Hastings Deering – is providing 21 autonomous haul trucks, three autonomous drills and a private LTE network to enable full operations to commence in late 2023.

“We’re excited for Thiess to deploy autonomous equipment and processes to the Olive Downs Complex,” Pembroke chairman and chief executive officer Barry Tudor (pictured below) said.

“Implementing this technology will not only enhance safety and productivity but also contribute significantly to the achievement of our sustainability goals: improving energy consumption, lowering carbon emissions and decreasing our ecological footprint.”

Pembroke aims to set a new standard for the integration of ESG into all aspects of operations as it delivers new, incremental production of steelmaking coal to supply-constrained world markets.

It is establishing an integrated mining complex consisting of conservation areas, a koala and greater glider clinic, pastoral activities and a solar power plant all within the same campus.

Mr Tudor said the start of mining was a significant achievement for everyone involved, and an opportunity for stakeholders to celebrate the collective success of safely mobilising resources for the massive project.

“It’s a rare opportunity to celebrate the beginning of mining for a new, world-class steelmaking coal project which is proudly implementing the next level of technology and sustainable mining,” he said.

Pembroke has engaged more than 86 Central Queensland businesses to develop the project since the official opening in April 2022.

Related: Growth front of mind as Olive Downs takes shape

More than $500 million has been spent on the asset so far, with more than 500 people on site on a daily basis.

The company said construction was advancing to plan on multiple fronts across the complex including rail, electricity and at the processing plant.

In total, Olive Downs will create 500 to 700 jobs during construction and more than 1000 jobs once at full production, with the majority of those positions to be based within Central and North Queensland.

Olive Downs holds environmental authority to produce up to 20Mtpa, but will have an initial capacity of 6Mtpa.

The first shipments of high quality steel-making coal from Olive Downs are expected to be exported in early 2024.