A new training centre supported by Anglo American is aiming to boost mine rescue capabilities and shorten response times when incidents occur in Queensland’s Bowen Basin mining hub.
Anglo American and Exxaro – which together own a 50-50 joint venture steelmaking coal exploration project at Moranbah South – have leased an 18-hectare parcel of land in the area to Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS).
“This marks a pivotal moment for the industry’s preparedness and response capabilities in Moranbah and will help place the town at the forefront of mines rescue training excellence,” Anglo American Australia chief executive officer Dan van der Westhuizen said.
“Having a bespoke training facility on our doorstep will hopefully inspire even more people to volunteer with their local rescue teams to learn essential skills.
“Being prepared for emergency situations is crucial, whether at work or in the community.”
QMRS currently has two rescue stations at Boonal, 8km outside Blackwater, and Dysart, which opened 30 years ago.
Queensland Mines Rescue Service CEO Tim Jackson said the centres are well past their use-by date.
“The lease allows QMRS the opportunity to expand our footprint for surface and underground mines rescue training,” he said.
“We have 450 volunteer underground team members, and 50 volunteer mine inertisation unit team members, who need to maintain their skills every two months to enable them to respond to a wide range of hazards and situations at mines.”
According to legislation, at least five per cent of a mine site’s workforce must be trained in mine rescue by an accredited corporation, such as QMRS.
Jackson said plans for the Moranbah site had been finalised and he hoped to submit a development application in 2025 largely replicating the organisation’s bespoke centre at Boonal.
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