Bravus Mining and Resources’ Carmichael coal mine in Queensland has exported its first 10 million tonnes of thermal coal.
The amount covers both the shipments sent during the test and commissioning phase of the mine and the tonnes railed to the port for export.
Bravus’ company Bowen Rail was responsible for transporting the coal to the North Queensland Export Terminal.
Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe said the 10 million tonnes railed milestone was an achievement shared by the tens of thousands of people across the company.
“This is a terrific milestone for our team, our contracting partners, and supporters of our business,” Crowe said.
“It also shows clear delivery on the commitments we’ve made, particularly to people in north and central Queensland, and just how much the coal industry can contribute when the job is done well.
“We said at the outset of the Carmichael mine and rail project that we’d deliver more than 1500 direct jobs during the construction and testing and commissioning period.
“We well and truly exceeded that with more than 2600 people employed at the peak of construction and more than $2 billion paid to regional Queensland contractors and businesses.
“That investment in jobs and contracts has flowed on in production and today we have more than 750 people working at Carmichael at any one time, with another third of that number on their operations swing.
“Importantly the bulk of these people live in a regional city or town named Townsville, or Rockhampton, or Clermont, or Charters Towers or Mackay, and that’s something we’re very proud of.”
According to Crowe, Bravus is now focusing on continuing the exportation of coal to meet growing demand in India and southeast Asia.
“There’s no question that Australian coal will play a role, alongside renewables, as part of the global energy mix that delivers reliable and affordable power with reduced emissions intensity,” Crowe said.
“That’s good news for those nations trying to lift their citizens out of energy poverty, and it’s good news for regional Queensland and the thousands of people who want a job in mining or to supply to our industry.”