Blackwater Mine
Blackwater Operations
Blackwater is one of the largest open cut coal mines in Australia, producing almost 14 million tonnes of coking and thermal coal a year.
The mine, located 24km south of the town of Blackwater and 315km west of the port of Gladstone, commenced production in 1967 .
In December 2000, the South Blackwater open-cut operations previously owned by QCT Resources were combined with those of the CQCA Blackwater mine.
Blackwater Mine produces coal from the Rangal coal measures and the seams average 7m to 7.5m in thickness, and dip at an average 3 degrees to 5 degrees to the east.
Coal is mined by open-cut methods, using 7 draglines and two truck/shovel fleets comprising a 56 cubic metre rope shovel and 8 x 300 tonne rear dump trucks, and a 18 cubic metre hydraulic excavator and 7 x 180 tonne rear dump trucks for overburden removal.
Coal seams are mined using 4 front-end loaders, a hydraulic shovel before being transported to one of three coal preparation plants by 15 x 160 tonne capacity coal haulers.
Coal processing is handled through three coal preparation plants - the Blackwater CPP which has a coal washing capacity of 900tph and a product conveyor capacity of 1,400tph allowing for bypass; the South Blackwater CPP, also with a washing capacity of 900tph and a product conveyor capacity of 1500tph allowing for bypass; and a thermal coal plant providing a crushing and rail loadout facility with a capacity of 1500tph.
Blackwater coking and thermal coal is sold to South and East Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, India and Australia.
Recent Events:
- Dragline 41 successfully commissioned after its 17,000km journey from the USA.
- New coal handling and processing plant nearing completion.
- Cultural Heritage Management Agreement finalised with local indigenous groups.