Anglo American new cutting-edge training centre

A new training centre in a prime Moranbah position will help boost mines rescue capabilities and shorten response times when incidents occur in Queensland’s Bowen Basin mining hub.

Anglo American and Exxaro — which own a 50-50 joint venture steelmaking coal exploration project at Moranbah South — have leased an 18ha parcel of land to Queensland Mines Rescue Service (QMRS).

The land, on the corner of Railway Road and Moranbah Access Road, is opposite the planned site for stage 3 of the Resources Centre of Excellence.

Anglo American Australia chief executive Dan van der Westhuizen says this lease agreement reinforces the company’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and elevating rescue capabilities.

“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,” he said.

Queensland Mines Rescue Service chief executive Tim Jackson says Moranbah is the mining hub of the Bowen Basin and relocating training facilities will result in less road travel for many crews.

Mr Jackson says QMRS had two rescue stations at Boonal — 8km outside Blackwater — and Dysart, which opened 30 years ago and was now well past its 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.

“Legislation requires 5% of a mine site’s workforce to be trained by the accredited corporation which is us.”

Mr Jackson says plans for the Moranbah site have been finalised and he hopes to submit a development application in 2025 largely replicating the organisation’s bespoke centre at Boonal.

Mr van der Westhuizen says, for Anglo American, highly-skilled mines rescue teams are fundamental to the company’s ongoing commitment to the emergency readiness of Queensland’s coal mining industry.

“Our mines rescue team from Moranbah North recently won the national underground competition — and our Grosvenor and Moranbah North mines also competed in the International Mines Rescue Competition in Colombia in September,” he 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.”