Collinsville Coal Mine
The Collinsville Open Cut Mine is located 80 kilometres south-west of Bowen in North Queensland. In 1996, Thiess entered into a Life of Mine contract with Mt Isa Mines (Mt Isa Mines was acquired by Xstrata in 2003) and Itochu Coal Resources Australia P/L.
Mine planning and operation was complex, requiring the blending of eight coal seams to comply with the client’s product coal specifications. Thiess’ work scope included the operation and maintenance of the mine infrastructure, including a 550tph Coal Handling Preparation Plant (CHPP), administration and workshop buildings. The mining area covered approximately 2750 hectares and included eight operational pits with 628 kilometres of coal haul roads to maintain.
The mine produced 4.5 million tonnes of product coal per annum - made up of coking and thermal coal. The overburden removal of 35 million bank cubic metres (BCM) per annum was performed by a combination of drilling, cast blasting, dragline operations, bulk dozing push and truck/excavator removal.
The Collinsville Coal Project produced up to seven product coking and thermal coal types for national and international customers. Domestic customers included power generators, mineral processes and coke works.