Glencore showcases Oaky Creek underground coal operations

posted: 29/09/2021

Media statement
Brisbane, Australia

Glencore welcomed the opportunity to host the Federal Minister for Resources and Water, the Hon Keith Pitt MP, at Oaky Creek underground metallurgical coal operation in Queensland.

The Minister met production crews and was given a demonstration of the mine’s automated longwall.

Using 'ExScan' laser technology developed by CSIRO’s Centre for Advanced Technologies, Oaky Creek is the first coal mine in Australia to fully automate its underground longwall operation.

An above-ground control centre operates the longwall using three-dimensional scans of the mining area recorded by 'ExScan' sensors and transmitted to the surface.

Minister Pitt also saw firsthand how Glencore’s coal business is leading the way on land rehabilitation and emission reduction.

To date, the mine has achieved 132.8 hectares of certified rehabilitation and in the last year cut emissions by up to 840,000 tonnes CO2-e by using methane emissions for electricity generation. That is roughly equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions avoided from 182,683 passenger vehicles driven for one year.

Located in Queensland’s Bowen Basin the Oaky Creek metallurgical coal operation has a workforce of 660 people. Last year, the mine worked with around 910 suppliers and spent over $532 million on goods and services to support operations.

“The metallurgical coal from our Oaky Creek operation is essential for making steel used in construction all over the world. Glencore has a world-class coal business in Australia and we welcomed the opportunity to show Minister Pitt some of the leading practices we have implemented, particularly around safety and gas management,” said Mr Ian Cribb, Chief Operating Officer for Glencore’s coal business in Australia.

 

For further information, please contact:

Allyn Hamonet
m: +61 418 228 075
e: Allyn Hamonet

Francis de Rosa
m: +61 0417 074 751
e: Francis de Rosa

 

Notes for editors

About Glencore

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 responsible-sourced commodities that advance everyday life. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.

With a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 30 marketing offices. Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 135,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050.

For more information, visit Glencore's website

About Glencore Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, silver and gold from 26 mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals smelters, concentrators and refineries. Our marketing business connects these Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly produce the resources required today and the minerals needed for the world’s transition to a low carbon economy.  

We employ 17,690 people in Australia and in 2020 contributed over $13.8 billion to the regional, state and national economies. Our most significant contribution comes from our core business activities: employing people, sourcing from local communities and paying taxes to host governments. At each of our sites, we focus on protecting our people, respecting the environment and being valued by the local communities in which we operate.