Third Queensland coal miner confirms closure

(Image source: QCoal) The mine was purchased by QCoal in 2020 and reopened in 2022.
(Image source: QCoal) The mine was purchased by QCoal in 2020 and reopened in 2022.

QCoal will close one of two underground units at the Cook Colliery in the Bowen Basin, citing increased production costs and royalties.

A QCoal spokesman commented on the closure.

“Unfortunately, Cook Colliery has been affected by high production costs, high taxes and royalties and low coal prices and its ongoing operation at its current levels is unsustainable,” the spokesperson said.

Core Crew, the operator of Cook Colliery, announced that consultation would begin with the workforce today on the future which may result in redundancies and changes to existing positions and roles.

Consultation with workers is expected to take about two weeks.

Cook Colliery has contributed $25m in royalties to the Queensland Government since its March 2022 reopening despite never making a profit, according to QCoal.

 

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