The safety of coal mines is under the spotlight again, as Anglo American suspends production at Grosvenor steelmaking coal mine.
In a statement, James Wyatt-Tilby, Spokesperson of Anglo American said production at its Grosvenor steelmaking coal mine in Queensland, Australia, was suspended due to an underground coal gas ignition incident on Saturday, the 29th June 2024.
He said specialists from the Queensland Mines Rescue Service and the regulatory authorities are working with Anglo teams, to extinguish the underground fire first.
Thereafter, the extent of the damage will be assessed, to determine the steps towards a safe re-entry into the mine.
These procedures are expected to take several months as a result of the likely damage underground.
Production is expected to decrease by c.3.5 million tonnes, in the second half of the year.
“Anglo American’s steelmaking coal business expects to produce c.8 million tonnes of product in the first half of 2024, of which Grosvenor will contribute c.2.3 million tonnes.”