资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

Australian Resources and Energy Group AMMA congratulates member Anglo American moving to expand its metallurgical coal operations in Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin with one of the most technologically advanced underground mines in the world.

It follows the company Board approving its Aquila project last week.

Aquila is an underground hard coking coal mine near Middlemount, which will extend the life of Anglo American’s existing underground operations by six years, to 2028, and continue to optimise the Capcoal complex. The complex consists of the Capcoal Open Cut Mine, underground Grasstree operations and associated infrastructure, and is a joint venture between Anglo American (70%) and Mitsui & Co. Ltd (30%).

With an expected capital cost of US$226 million (Anglo American share), development work is expected to begin in September 2019, with first longwall production of premium quality hard coking coal in early 2022.

Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business, Tyler Mitchelson, said Aquila was an important growth project for the business, and would provide ongoing employment opportunities for the company’s Grasstree workforce as the mine reaches its end of life.

“Importantly, the project will provide continuity for our local workforce, with planning under way to transition employees to Aquila from Grasstree, as it approaches its end of life,” he said.

“The Aquila project approval is a further demonstration of our commitment to the Australian metallurgical coal business, and the Central Queensland communities where we operate.”

Aquila’s innovative approach 

The mine will also continue to adopt Anglo American’s FutureSmart Mining^TM program, which applies innovative thinking and technological advances to address mining’s major operational and sustainability challenges.

“Anglo American has been at the forefront of embracing innovation to drive the next level of mine safety and performance, and our Aquila Mine will be developed as one of the most technologically advanced underground mines in the world,” Mr Mitchelson said.

“We will pursue remote operation of the Aquila longwall, ensuring our people are removed from harm’s way, and the continued digitisation of our operations, using new technologies such as our Australian-first intrinsically safe underground electronic tablets.

“The accelerating pace of technological innovation, particularly in the digitalisation, automation and artificial intelligence areas, are opening up opportunities for the mining sector to be safer, more productive and sustainable.

“As the largest underground coal miner in Australia, we are leveraging the innovative work already under way at our existing mine sites and scaling the development of new technologies in our operations,” he said.

Almost 80 students in Middlemount were the latest to be inspired about a resources and energy career as the local school hosted AMMA’s Bright Future STEM Program. 

On 17 July, Middlemount Primary School students were inspired about a resources and energy career by role models from Anglo American (see related story).