Meandu

From January 2013 the Meandu Coal Mine has been operated by Downer EDI for the owner Stanwell, a Queensland State Government enterprise. Up until 2013 the mine had been operated by Thiess Pty Ltd. The mine was purchased from Rio Tinto Coal Australia in 2008 to ensure the Tarong and Tarong North power stations had a secure source of coal well into the foreseeable future. The mine is located 130 km north west of Brisbane, nine kilometres from the small village of Yarraman off the Kingaroy to Cooya road.

Meandu Mine Coal Reserves Sufficient to Last Until 2031

Proven coal reserves guarantee the Meandu open cut black coal mine is able to supply seven million tonnes of coal a year to the two power stations to at least 2031, therefore providing security of power generation to the city of Brisbane for many years to come.

Mine Commissioned to Supply Power Stations

Work started on developing the Meandu coal mine in 1978 following a decision made by the Queensland Government to proceed with the construction of the adjacent Tarong Power Station. By 1984 the mine was delivering regular supplies of coal to the power generator via a 1.5 kilometre conveyor. This supply was increased as more generators were commissioned. A large increase in coal production was required when the Tarong North Power Station came on line in 2003.

Five Pits Make up the Meandu Coal Mine

At the present time there are five coal mining pits in operation at the Meandu site and the combined production capability from these pits total seven million tonnes a year. The coal seams in the area consist of six layers of various thicknesses lying one above the other with sandstone and shale separating them. It was initially believed that the coal deposit in the area was sufficient to supply the power stations up until 2003 but the discovery of further deposits now give the mine a productive life to at least 2031.

Rio Tinto Proved Resource in 1976

Rio Tinto first showed interest in mining coal in the Yarraman area as far back as 1967 when drilling at the site showed substantial thicknesses of steaming coal existed there. It was then believed there was sufficient coal at the site to support the construction of a power station.

The Stanwell Corporation Limited, a Queensland Government owned corporation, is the biggest producer of energy in Queensland with assets totalling more than four billion dollars. It is involved in producing 45 percent Queensland's electric power generation by means of either hydro, gas or coal methods in 10 different sites around the state. It currently employs around 1,000 people.

Development Takes Part Hand in Hand with the Wakka Wakka People

The Meandu coal mine is situated on land owned by the Wakka Wakka people, part of the South Burnett lands and water traditional owner agreement. In keeping with the Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) Stanwell have therefore entered into a contract that binds both parties to certain obligations. As a result the Wakka Wakka people are kept up-to- date on all of Stanwell's land use intentions and Stanwell are obligated to undertake cultural heritage surveys before disturbing the land they intend mining. The company also delivers benefits that assist the Wakka Wakka people in achieving their aspirations and future goals.