Peabody Energy, which is working on redevelop its Centurion mine in the Bowen Basin region of Queensland, has shipped first product from the hard coking coal property.
The inaugural shipment was delivered to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and loaded for export to a customer in Asia the week of 9 December. Centurion is undergoing a ramp-up at the mine for higher-volume longwall production; that achievement is set to be met in March 2026.
Planned annual production from the operation is expected to average 4.7 million tons from a reserve base of about 140 million tons, giving it a 25-year-plus mine life. Tonnage from Centurion will be used for original steel, as it has a high coke strength and low impurities.
“Two years ago, we announced the redevelopment of this mine with a plan to transform it into a world-class operation supplying premium hard coking coal to global markets, and this week we’re delivering on that plan,” said CEO and president Jim Grech.
“This is the first strategic step in transforming Peabody into a primarily metallurgical coal producer, and we are proud of the strong progress being made.”
Centurion is also advancing Peabody’s commitment to sustainability with predevelopment works underway for 5-megawatt power station at the mine supporting the project’s emission abatement goals by reusing waste gas from coal seams.
Last month, Peabody announced an agreement to acquire four Tier 1 steelmaking coal mines from Anglo American. Deal completion is expected in mid-2025.
Source: peabodyenergy.com