UK-based mining giant Anglo American has announced that it has suspended its operations at its Grosvenor coal mine in Queensland, Australia, following an underground blaze that broke out due to coal gas ignition on June 29.
The company stated that workers were evacuated from the mine without injury and that it is working with the authorities to put out the underground fire before reentering the mine and starting damage assessments. These procedures are expected to take a couple of months given the likely damage.
Anglo American’s guidance for total coal production for this year was at 15-17 million mt, of which Grosvenor was expected to account for 3.5 million mt. The company’s guidance will be updated once more information is available.