The Baralaba North Mine is located approximately 5km north of the township of Baralaba. It is an open-cut operation utilising truck and excavator method. The coal produced is mainly Ultra-Low Volatile Pulverised Coal Injection (ULV PCI) product used in steel making. Mining operations are performed by Golding Contractors with approximately 400 employees on site.
Golding’s scope includes:
- Mining of overburden and the steeply dipping coal seams;
- Operation and maintenance of the owner supplied mining fleets;
- Operation and maintenance of the coal handling plant,
- Backfilling & rehabilitation of the previous mine voids;
- Site supervision and statutory responsibilities, and
- Operation and maintenance of the Baralaba town accommodation camp for mine workers.
The mining schedule utilised a terrace method of surface mining due to the steeply dipping coal seams and complex geology. Conventional hydraulic excavators and rear dump trucks were assumed to mine the deposit. The size of the deposit, steeply dipping coal seams and complex geology preclude the application of draglines or large electric rope shovels. There are no material opportunities to utilise cast blasting or dozer push applications. A minimal variation in coal quality and thickness within the individual seam groups along the deposit provides relatively constant annual coal output and quality over the life of the mine.
It is assumed that rehabilitation ........