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Resources giant pumps $240M into Bowen Basin coal mine

Anglo American Aquila Coal Mine
Drift runner in an underground mine

A multinational mining company will spend big money on extending the life of its coal operation in Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin.

Anglo American has awarded multiple contracts to perform civil works, build an overland conveyor system and deliver a walk-on walk-off system with two complete long walls at the Aquila Coal Project, 240km southwest of Mackay. QMEB can reveal the deal is worth a combined $240 million.

Anglo is also spending a further $5M on a new reverse osmosis water treatment system to use more recycled water and reduce the reliance on fresh water at the mine. This is promised to help the company achieve objectives listed in its sustainable mining plan.

Most technologically advanced

The proponent believes the investment will not only extend the life of its underground coal operations by six years but also make Aquila one of the world’s most technologically advanced underground mines.

“The mine will showcase our innovation-led approach to sustainable mining, with a remote operating centre on the surface of the mine, proximity detection systems underground to alert machine operators to pedestrians and the continued digitisation of our operations, using new technologies such as our Australian-first intrinsically safe underground electronic tablets,” metallurgical coal chief executive Tyler Mitchelson said in a public statement.

500 jobs

Anglo also revealed most of the work is being performed by local workers and contractors.

“Our Aquila project is progressing well, with support from its Queensland-based workforce and contracting partners,” Mitchelson said.

“More than 90 per cent of our Aquila contracts have been awarded to Queensland-based suppliers, and we currently have around 500 people working on the project in engineering, surface construction and underground development.”

Hiring now

Anglo is currently hiring for the following vacancies:

  • business improvement specialist
  • work management superintendent.

Click here to apply. Successful applicants will be offered a Monday to Friday roster of five days on and two days off. Workers can either be a resident with subsidised accommodation and receive support to either drive-in drive-out or fly-in fly-out for the role.

Anglo previously awarded a $95M mining development contract to Mastermyne Group back in 2019. The contractor is now hiring for the following positions:

  • technical writer
  • trainer assessor
  • underground fitters
  • operations coordinator
  • underground operators
  • underground electricians
  • explosion risk zone controllers
  • design and communications coordinator.

Click here to apply. Successful applicants will be offered paid leave, free flu vaccinations, company paid prescription safety glasses, company paid further education (including ordinary wages), two-year anniversary watch plus further gifts additional years of service, family Christmas parties, employee Christmas gifts, corporate income protection insurance and emergency shelter accommodation.

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First long wall production of premium quality hard coking coal is expected to begin in early 2022.

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