The Rolleston Coal Mine is an open-cut coal mine located in Central Queensland, Australia, with reserves amounting to 600 million tonnes of thermal coal. The mine has an annual production capacity of 14 million tonnes.[1] It is one of numerous coal mines in the Bowen Basin.
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Location | 16 km west of Rolleston |
| Queensland | |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 24°26′43.4″S 148°24′58.522″E / 24.445389°S 148.41625611°E |
| Production | |
| Products | Thermal coal |
| History | |
| Opened | 2005 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Glencore |
| Year of acquisition | 2003 |
The mine is wholly owned by Glencore.[2]
Xstrata acquired it from Mount Isa Mines in 2003, proceeded with development,[3] and began mining operations in 2005.[3] Glencore merged with Xstrata in 2013. Winfield Energy acquired the 12.5% interest formerly held by Itochu in February 2019.[4][5][6] Glencore acquired Winfield Energy's 12.5% in January 2021[7] and Sumitomo's 12.5% later that year,[2] giving it 100% ownership.
Rolleston Mine is approved to produce six million tonnes per year for export and two million for domestic use.[3] Coal is exported from the mine via the Port of Gladstone. The majority of the mine's haulage is conducted under contract by Aurizon using electric locomotives.[8] Coal from the mine is also used to power the Gladstone Power Station.[3]
Floods
editExcess water filled the mine pits in 2010, affecting production,[9] and the mine was forced to declare force majeure after the 2010–2011 Queensland floods affected rail operations.[10]
Expansion
editAn application to expand the mine was made to the federal government on 17 May 2011.[11] The mine is located within the Fitzroy River basin which flows into the Coral Sea. An expansion of mining operations may indirectly affect the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park through sedimentation and the pollution of waterways.[12] The expansion would lift production almost threefold to between 15 and 20 million tonnes a year.[12]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Bowen Basin coal mines". bowenbasin.com. 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Japan's Sumitomo to sell stake in Rolleston coal mine to Glencore". Mining Technology. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Rolleston". Glencore Xstrata. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
- ^ "ANNOUNCEMENTS". lbr1. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Coal-related business policy | Sustainability News". ITOCHU Corporation. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Couriermail.com.au | Subscribe to The Courier Mail for exclusive stories". myaccount.news.com.au. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Canavan's back story with Glencore". Australian Financial Review. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "Aurizon signs with Xstrata for Rolleston haulage". Australian Journal of Mining. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
- ^ Esmarie Swanepoel (11 March 2010). "Rolleston pits still in 'recovery mode' after rains". Mining Weekly. Creamer Media. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
- ^ Jessica Burke (4 February 2011). "QLD coal mines undamaged by Cyclone Yasi". Australian Mining. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
- ^ Cole Latimer (18 May 2011). "Xstrata Coal push ahead on Rolleston". Australian Mining. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
- ^ a b Peter Ker (18 May 2011). "Xstrata gives green light to Rolleston expansion". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 27 September 2013.