Operations will continue at the 73-year-old Callide coal mine in Central Queensland, after the State Government approved an extension which could keep the mine running for another 25 years.
Callide, which was sold by Anglo American to Batchfire Resources in 2016, supplies coal nearby power stations. Aurizon was awarded a 10-year haulage contract for the mine’s coal in 2015.
With resources at Callide’s existing Boundary Hill operation expected to run out in early 2018, Batchfire Resources applied for permission to begin the Boundary Hill South project in 2017.
Queensland mining minister Anthony Lynham said the approval of the project meant job security for the current 450 employees at the mine complex, for another 25 years.
“The lease will allow the Callide mine to continue to supply approximately 6.5 million tonnes of thermal coal each year for baseload power generation and alumina manufacturing,” Dr Lynham said.