Anglo gets hiring for coal mine expansion

GLOBAL mining giant Anglo American has already started recruiting for a number of roles following its announcement last week of a $US226 million ($327 million) expansion to its metallurgical coal operation in the Bowen Basin.

Aquila is an underground hard coking coal mine near Middlemount, expected to extend the life of Anglo American’s existing Capcoal underground operations by six years, to 2028, and transform it into “one of the most technologically advanced underground mines in the world”.

It will also continue to optimise the Capcoal complex, which includes Anglo American’s Capcoal Open Cut Mine, underground Grasstree operations and associated infrastructure. The mine is expected to have a peak workforce of about 600 people.

An Anglo American spokeswoman said there would be a staged workforce transition from Grasstree Mine to Aquila as work was completed at Grasstree, with a contractor workforce supporting early development and construction works.

“We’re seeking to provide job security for our existing Grasstree workforce as a priority and are planning to transition employees from Grasstree across to Aquila,” the spokeswoman said.

“Detailed resourcing plans are being developed, and we will continue to engage with employees as these plans are finalised.

“The transition is going to take a couple of years and there’s quite a bit of detailed planning in ramping down at Grasstree … but our intent is to give people the opportunity to move across if they are interested in a role.”

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane described the expansion as “a vote of confidence in regional Queensland”.

Go to jobopportunities.angloamerican.com for jobs.