Name of the Project
Curragh coal mine capacity expansion.
Location
Queensland, Australia.
Project Owner/s
Coronado Global Resources.
Project Description
A new mine plan on the Curragh coal mine has demonstrated the attractive qualities of this asset and the many opportunities that Coronado has to unlock considerable value over the next five to ten years and beyond.
The mine plan envisages increasing production at Curragh to 15-million tonnes by 2023, a significant increase on the forecasted 12.9-million tonnes outlined in the prospectus.
The new mine plan includes three key phases.
Phase 1 aims to extract incremental tonnage through the integration of the Stanwell reserve area into the new mine plan, which will facilitate an optimised mine plan and sequencing at Curragh North while extending the mine life. The current installed infrastructure at Curragh will be used to support an increase in production at minimal capital investment.
In Phase 2, Coronado intends to increase the capacity and efficiency of the coal-handling preparation plants and train load-out system to accommodate the higher production rates, resulting in more tonnes being produced and sold a year. The capital investment required to increase the capacity of the two plants will primarily focus on debottlenecking the raw and clean-coal handling system, allowing for different products to be produced simultaneously, as well as on introducing an intermediate circuit to increase the plant’s efficiency and throughput rate.
Phase 3 is not incorporated into the new mine plan, but includes new growth opportunities, including openpit mining at Curragh Central and South, underground mining opportunities at Curragh and Curragh North, and further exploration and development of MDL162.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
Phase 1 is expected to cost about $8.5-million and Phase 2 between $80-million and $100-million.
Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.
Latest Developments
Coronado Global Resources will take on the management and operation of four mining fleets from contractor Thiess at its Curragh North mining area, which is part of the greater Curragh Complex.
The arrangements will result in Coronado’s managing and operating three of the fleets supplied by Thiess, which will continue to own the equipment and perform maintenance. Thiess will also maintain the Coronado-owned and -managed fourth electric shovel fleet.
The new arrangements will contribute to Coronado’s focus to continue the progress made to drive operational performance and compliance to the mine plan, thereby ensuring increased coal availability.
Thiess has been providing mining services for Curragh North since 2004 and will continue to operate five excavator fleets under the existing long-term mining services contract that expires at the end of December 2025.
The two companies are working towards finalising the relevant agreements. The new arrangements between the parties will start on April 1, but the transition will be phased in over the next few months.
Coronado has said the changes signal the focus on its future and on attracting and retaining the skills needed to secure success, and will not result in any changes to other contracts or supplier arrangements at Curragh.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Coronado Global Resources, tel +61 7 3031 7777.