Good job news for North Queensland with mine announcement

North Queenslanders will welcome the news that the one of Queensland’s oldest coal mines at Collinsville is restarting production and hiring again.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for State Development and Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham welcomed Glencore’s move to recommence operations and hire up to 200 people at its joint venture open cut mine near Bowen.

“This is yet another piece of positive news for the north and ongoing evidence of green shoots appearing in the resources sector,” the Premier said.

"It’s been encouraging to see these green shoots appearing over the past few months showing in both global prices and within the industry itself in Queensland."

Coal has been mined at Collinsville for almost 100 years.

Glencore cut production in December 2015, citing declining thermal coal prices. The 230-strong workforce was reduced by 180, 140 of whom were redeployed to other Glencore operations.

Dr Lynham said he welcomed Glencore’s advice that recruitment would focus on locals.

“Our regional resource communities have been doing it tough and positive developments like this reverberate through the whole community and local businesses,” he said.

“With construction expected to start on the Carmichael coal and rail project and the North Queensland Stadium next year, jobs and business opportunities will be flowing in the north.”

“We have seen Taurus Funds Management purchase the Foxleigh met coal mine near Middlemount, coming on top of its Taurus’ backing for Stanmore Coal to buy and restart Isaac Plains.

Denham Capital’s coal subsidiary has announced the purchase of a portfolio of Peabody Energy projects and in the north-west Cudeco has shipped its first load of sulphide copper concentrate.

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Premier's office 3719 7000

Jan Martin 0439 341 314