Cullenswood

The Cullenswood open cut black coal mine in Tasmania, near the town of St Marys, is owned by Cement Australia through its wholly owned subsidiary, the Cornwall Coal Company. The mine has been producing around 15,000 tonnes of black coal a year.

Cullenswood Coal not Suitable for Export
Coal mined from the Cullenswood open cut has a rather high ash content, a
feature that makes it unsuitable for export. However, it has been found satisfactory for local industry, particularly Cement Australia's cement works located at Railton, near Devonport, in North West Tasmania. Cement Australia, formerly Goliath, produces Portland cement at its Railton cement works with coal mined from Cornwall Coal's mining operations, that include's the Cullenswood mine, producing the large quantities of heat required is such an operation.

Cullenswood Level two Open Pit Replaces Previous Mining Operations
In 2010, the Cornwall Coal Company decided to open a level two open pit at its Cullenswood mining operations that would have the capacity to produce up to 150,000 tonnes of coal a year. The new pit would replace the company's existing mining operations at the site. Cornwall Coal currently produces over 400,000 tonnes of coal washed at its Fingall washery annually that is distributed from the centre by rail transport. The coal produced by Cornwall Coal Company is mined from three sites; the Duncan Colliery, in the Fingal Valley, the Cullenswood open pit mine near St Marys and the Kimbolton open pit mine near Hamilton in the south of the island. There are approximately 70 people and 17 contractors employed in the administration, mining and processing of coal for the Cornwall Coal Company throughout Tasmania. Most of Cornwall Coal operations take place in the Fingal Valley and North East Tasmania as the Kimbolton Mine in the south is only operated on an occasional basis with no permanent personnel on the site.

Coal Mining at Cullenswood Dates Back to 1886
Coal mining at Cullenswood became viable in 1886 when the railway line was put through to St Marys. This railway opened up the whole Fingal Valley to coal mining and ever since has provided most of Tasmania's coal needs. The demand for coal declined when cheap oil was introduced but since the mid-1960's the demand for steaming coal has been steadily rising again as a result of more efficient mining methods and better transport.

Portland cement produced at Railton with the assistance of Cullenswood coal is used in many of the major projects being undertaken throughout Australia. Projects such as highways, bridges, dams and tunnels all use Portland cement. Cement Australia's extensive skills, knowledge and experience allows it to meet deadlines and other high project demands.

Besides producing high grade Portland cement, Cement Australia, also supplies the market with high grade fly ash and slag as well as quality lime products. Blast furnace slag is a by-product created during the manufacturing of steel and iron. This slag is processed till it becomes granulated blast furnace slag or ground granulated blast furnace slag. Blended slag enhances the durability of cement and concrete products.
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