Anglo's Moranbah North Mine Evacuated Due to Carbon Monoxide Levels
Unclear if Incident Will Affect Peabody Acquisition
Moranbah North, one of Queensland's largest underground coal mines, has halted production following the detection of elevated carbon monoxide levels. The mine, located approximately 200 kilometers southwest of Mackay and owned by Anglo American, was evacuated safely around 3 p.m. when the dangerous gas levels were identified. All personnel were brought to the surface without incident, adhering to the site's emergency response protocols.
A spokesperson for Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) confirmed that the state's coal inspector was notified and is assisting the mine in addressing the issue. Anglo American reported that the underground environment remains under continuous monitoring, indicating a stable atmosphere despite the incident.
The company described the situation as an "over pressure event" at the mine's longwall face, a critical area in coal extraction. Elevated carbon monoxide levels can signal spontaneous combustion or oxidation events in underground mines. Steven Smyth, national vice-president of the Mining and Energy Union, emphasized the seriousness of the incident, noting that high carbon monoxide levels are a key indicator used to assess underground safety. He also highlighted that more than 100 workers were likely on the day shift during the evacuation.
Industry safety representatives from the union are en route to the site for further evaluation. Anglo American confirmed that RSHQ and all relevant safety representatives were informed immediately, and that subsequent steps will be determined in collaboration with regulatory authorities.
Moranbah North has a production capacity of approximately 5 to 6 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of high-quality hard coking coal, supplying steel manufacturers in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, India, and throughout Europe.
In November 2024, Anglo American agreed to sell its steelmaking coal assets, including Moranbah North, to Peabody Energy for up to $3.8 billion. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2025, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. It is unclear at this time whether this event will affect the acquisition.
This incident follows previous safety challenges at Moranbah North. In 2021, operations were temporarily suspended due to high gas readings. Additionally, the mine is located approximately 15 kilometers from the Grosvenor coal mine, which remains closed after an underground explosion in June 2024.
When reached for comment, officials from Peabody replied they are in close contact with Anglo regarding their reported event, and at this time, they are proceeding with all aspects of the acquisition, closely following the developments, and preserving all options.
Source: ABC