Glencore is set to recommence operations at its Collinsville Coal Mine near Bowen in a move that is expected to provide employment for up to 200 Queenslanders.
The company, which already kickstarted a recruitment process to fill the positions, said the decision was influenced by increased demand from South-East Asia for the specific type of coal produced by Collinsville.
“Our Collinsville mine has made material progress in increasing operational efficiencies and reducing costs in the current market and the decision to return to production is positive news for the local community and the wider region,” said Tony Galvin, head of Glencore’s open cut coal business in Queensland.
Glencore cut production in December 2015 due to declining thermal coal prices. Subsequently, the company reduced the 230-strong workforce by 180, 140 of whom were redeployed to other Glencore operations.
“This year there has been a focus on rehabilitation work and management of mine water,” the company said in a press release.
“We have also continued to support a number of community initiatives, including the funding of a revitalisation master plan that aims to increase tourism in Collinsville and surrounding areas.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has welcomed the announcement that one of Queensland’s oldest coal mines at Collinsville is restarting production and hiring again.
“This is yet another piece of positive news for the north and ongoing evidence of green shoots appearing in the resources sector,” the Premier stated.
“It’s been encouraging to see these green shoots appearing over the past few months showing in both global prices and within the industry itself in Queensland.”
