Quick fire – industry news briefs

Anglo American produced 28 per cent more steelmaking coal last quarter than at the same time last year, hitting 3.4 million tonnes. The lift came after the Capcoal and Dawson open-cut operations were impacted by unseasonal wet weather in 2022. Grosvenor has commenced a new longwall panel, with full ramp-up expected towards the end of July. The longwall move was offset by higher production from Moranbah, which had a longwall move in Q2 2022. The company said it was on track to hit production guidance for 2023 at 16–19 million tonnes. Draeger Australia has reported an incident where an expired Oxy 6000 Oxygen self rescuer caught fire while being used in a training exercise at a Queensland mine last week. In a note to the Queensland Mines Inspectorate, Draeger Australia officials said the company was seeking the unit involved as quickly as possible so it could be investigated by product experts. The expired unit was originally supplied to a different Queensland mine site in 2012. "Despite this unit being beyond its service life, we are taking this matter seriously and would seek your assistance to distribute this information. We recommend that in accordance with the Instructions For Use (IFU) any expired devices should not be used," the Draeger letter stated. The Queensland Mines Inspectorate supports the recommendation from Draeger requesting sites not to use expired devices. Glencore's proposal to extend the mining area of its Rolleston open-cut coal operation through the Spring Creek North Continuation Project has reached the public comment phase of the approvals process under the EPBC Act. Documents supporting an environmental authority amendment state that approval of the SCNCP would facilitate improved mine closure outcomes and increase resource recovery. It would not increase the mine’s production rate or extend the life of mine for the overall Rolleston open-cut coal operation. Though situated on existing ML’s, the project area has not previously been approved for mining. Charles Darwin University is developing a new Trades Training Facility, with tender applications for construction now being assessed and a decision anticipated by the end of the month. The 2400sq m, two-storey building will feature a heavy equipment precinct, an assembly area and workshop space, an industrial sand pit, and classrooms. The new facility is projected to cost $10 million, with $4.8 million invested from the Northern Territory Government’s annual VET Capital Grant for the ongoing development of Vocational Education and Training facilities, and the remainder from CDU. Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has welcomed in a new Mayor following the retirement of Paul Antonio almost 42 years in local government. Councillors voted in Geoff McDonald (pictured right) as the new mayor for the Toowoomba region. The council will need to appoint a new deputy mayor from the current councillors and fill the vacant councillor position, from a member in the community, for the remainder of the term. Nominations for the vacant councillor position must be invited from any person who is qualified to be a councillor, and from each person who was a candidate for election at the previous local government election in 2020. Notices calling for nominations will be published in the coming weeks, including on council’s website, and former candidates will be individually notified.

Quick fire – industry news briefs

Industry Queensland

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