Kestrel

The Rio Tinto operated Kestrel underground coal mine, 40 kilometres from Emerald, in the coal rich Bowen Basin Region of Queensland, was previously known as the Gordonstone Mine. The mine was originally owned by Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) that began coking and thermal coal production at the site in 1992. Mining giant Rio Tinto acquired 80 percent of Atlantic Richfield in early 1999 and re-opened the mine under the name Kestrel. The name, that was chosen by the employees of the re-opened mine, is in honour of the kestrel falcon that is often seen flying in the vicinity of the mining operation.

Decision Taken to Extend the Kestrel Underground Mine was Made in 2007
Plans to extend the Kestrel mine were announced by Rio Tinto in 2007 with extension construction beginning in 2008. Coal production from the Kestrel extension began in 2013 and is expected to extend the life of mine a further 20 years. The Kestrel Mine remains Rio Tinto's only underground coal mining operation. Coal from the mine is transported a distance of 300 kilometres, by rail, to the Port of Gladstone for exporting to the company's overseas customers.

Kestral Mine Shows its Support of the McGrath Foundation
Kestrel underground mining is carried out using an EL3000 Caterpillar longwall miner that is able to cut 5,000 tonnes of high quality coking coal an hour for the coal export market. The shearer was painted pink to honour Rio Tinto's close involvement with the McGrath Foundation. A Foundation set up by famous Australian test cricket fast bowler Glenn McGrath following the death of his wife, Jane, from breast cancer in 2008.

Kestrel Mine Production Being Transitioned to the Kestrel South Extension
Kestrel Mine production is being gradually transitioned from the Kestrel North operation as it winds down to the Kestrel mine extension, Kestrel South, as it ramps up. When full capacity is reached in 2014 the Kestrel Mine is expected to average about 5.7 million tonnes of coal production a year for the next 20 years.

Kestral Mine has an Eight Kilometre Long Conveyor to Take Coal to its CHPP
The Kestrel Mine extension project, besides requiring the construction of the new longwall, also involved the construction of an eight kilometre long conveyor to transport 3,500 tonnes of coal an hour to an upgraded coal handling processing plant (CHPP), that is on-site. The completion of the project has secured the future for over 400 mine employees who keep the mine operating 24 hours a day seven days a week. Most workers at the mine are accommodated at the Coppabella accommodation camp and are transported to and from the mine by bus. At the end of December 2011 the Kestrel Mine held marketable coal reserves of 122 million tonnes.

Kestrel Joint Venture Involves Queensland Coal and Mitsui
Rio Tinto Coal Australia manages the Kestrel underground mine on behalf of the joint venture owners, Queensland Coal Pty Ltd and Mitsui Kestrel Coal Investment. Queensland Coal Pty Ltd is 100 percent owned by Rio Tinto. The Bowen Basin region of Queensland, where the Kestral underground mine is located, is a significant coal bearing area that is 600 kilometres long and 250 kilometres wide.
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A Video About Kestrel Coal Mine