Fire shuts Anglo American’s Australian coking coal mine

Market: Coal, Coking coal
01/07/24

UK-South African mining firm Anglo American has closed its 5mn t/yr Grosvenor coking coal mine in the Bowen basin region of Australia's Queensland, after a fire broke out underground.

The methane gas ignition occurred on 29 June and it is likely to take several months before the mine can restart given the damage underground, according to Anglo American. Independent regulator Resources, Safety and Health Queensland said it was assisting the firm to safely seal the mine on 1 July.

Grosvenor was expected to deliver 1.2mn t of coal in July-December, down from 2.3mn t in January-June, because of a planned longwall move in the second half of 2024. Anglo American's steelmaking coal business was budgeted to produce 15mn-17mn t of coking coal in 2024 and the firm will update this guidance as more information becomes available.

Anglo American is looking to exit its coal mining operations in Australia, after rejecting a takeover offer from Australian mining firm BHP. It has struggled to manage the build-up of methane from its Queensland mines over the past few years. Operations at Australia's Moranbah North mine was closed from March-May 2022, after a fatal accident raised safety concerns. The producer also stalled operations at the Grosvenor mine in May 2020 because of gas ignition issues.

Argus assessed the premium hard low-volatile coking coal price at $234/t fob Australia on 28 June, down from a year-to-date high of $336.25/t on 12 January.

By Jo Clarke

Australian metallurgical coal prices ($/t)

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

News

21/05/25

Thailand's Banpu adopts biomass co-firing in China

Singapore, 21 May (Argus) — Thailand's mining and power generation conglomerate Banpu plans to adopt biomass co-firing for all its combined heat and power plants (CHPs) in northern China. It has fully implemented 10pc biomass co-firing at its coal-fired Zhengding power plant. The plant has a total installed capacity of 139MW electrical (MWe), including a power generation capacity of 73MW and steam production output at 370 t/hr. The type of biomass used at this plant could not be immediately ascertained, and Banpu did not respond to a request for comment. Banpu's Zouping CHP, with a combined capacity of 233MWe, 125MW of power and steam output at 600 t/hr, is "undergoing commissioning", the company said. Its plans to co-fire with biomass at the 246MWe Luannan coal-fired plant is in the "bidding phase," the company added. The plant has a power capacity of 150MW and steam production output at 538 t/hr. The move to boost biomass co-firing at its operations in China is part of the company's plans to reduce carbon emissions and earn revenue from carbon emission allowances (CEAs)— a type of carbon credit or emission permit, giving rights to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases within a carbon market. CEAs are part of a "cap-and-trade" system, designed to reduce overall emissions. Higher earnings from CEAs from its Chinese plants and cost management in the coal business lifted its net profit in the first quarter. Banpu reported a net profit of 574mn baht ($17.3mn) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation in the first quarter, up by 19pc from the same period in 2024. By Nadhir Mokhtar Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Find out more

News

US House panel votes down Republican megabill

16/05/25

News

16/05/25

US House panel votes down Republican megabill

Washington, 16 May (Argus) — A key committee in the US House of Representatives voted today to reject a massive budget bill backed by President Donald Trump, as far-right conservatives demanded deeper cuts to clean energy tax credits and social spending programs. The House Budget Committee failed to pass the budget reconciliation bill in a 16-21 vote, with four House Freedom Caucus members — Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina), Chip Roy (R-Texas), Josh Brecheen (R-Oklahoma) and Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia) — voting no alongside Democrats. A fifth Republican voted no for procedural reasons. The failed vote will force Republicans to consider major changes to the bill before it comes up for a vote on the House floor as early as next week. Republican holdouts say the bill would fall short of their party's promises to cut the deficit, particularly because it would front-load increased spending and back-load cuts. The bill is set to add $3.3 trillion to the deficit, or $5.2 trillion if temporary provisions were permanent, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. Some critics of the bill said the proposed cut of $560bn in clean energy tax credits is not enough, because the bill would retain some tax credits for new wind and solar projects. "A lot of these credits have been in existence for 30 or 40 years, and you talk about giveaways, we want to help those who really need help," Norman said ahead of his no vote. "That's the heart of this. Sadly, I'm a no until we get this ironed out." Negotiations will fall to House speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who can only lose three votes when the bill comes up for a vote by the full House. But stripping away more of the energy tax credits enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act could end up costing Johnson votes among moderates. More than a dozen Republicans on 14 May asked to pare back newly proposed restrictions on the remaining clean energy tax credits. Ahead of the failed vote, Trump had pushed Republicans to support what he calls the "Big Beautiful Bill". In a social media post, he said "Republicans MUST UNITE" in support of the bill and said the party did not need "GRANDSTANDERS". The failed vote has parallels to the struggles that Democrats had in 2021 before the implosion of their push to pass their sprawling "Build Back Better" bill, which was later revived as the Inflation Reduction Act. Republicans say they will work over the weekend on a compromise. The House Budget Committee has scheduled another hearing at 10pm on 18 May to attempt to vote again on the budget package, but any changes to the measure would occur later, through an amendment released before the bill comes up for a vote on the House floor. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

India’s coal imports drop in Apr 2024-Feb 2025

14/05/25

News

14/05/25

India’s coal imports drop in Apr 2024-Feb 2025

Singapore, 14 May (Argus) — India's imports of all types of coal declined on the year from April 2024 to February 2025 because domestic supplies rose, the federal coal ministry said. The country's imports of all types of coal — including thermal and coking coal — fell by 9.2pc from a year earlier to 220.3mn t during the 11-month period, the ministry said. India's production rose by 5.5pc from a year earlier to 929.15mn t over the same period. The drop in imports resulted in foreign exchange savings of about $6.93bn, it said. Imports declined as the country continued to boost output, in line with federal efforts to expand commercial coal mining and coking coal output as well as reduce imports, the ministry said. Increases in domestic supplies could weigh on demand for imports, although key coal-consuming industries could continue to source seaborne material for their operations, especially as domestic coal is comparatively inferior in quality. Utilities' imports for blending with domestic coal fell by 39pc during the period, the ministry said, without elaborating on the volume. The drop comes as Delhi did not renew its order on imported-domestic coal blending after the directives expired in October last year. But it has extended its directive requiring imported coal-fired utilities to boost generation until 30 June , a move that could support demand for seaborne coal during the peak summer period. Imports Imports would continue to be part of the mix to power India's economic growth, especially as it serves as a primary energy source for critical industries including power, steel, and cement, the ministry added. Imports have been vital to meet the needs of key sectors because India faces challenges in meeting the growing domestic demand, especially for coking coal and high-grade thermal coal, the ministry said. India imported 38.29mn t of thermal coal in January-March, down from 41.87mn t a year earlier, according to data from shipbroker Interocean. Imports may have remained under pressure in April, with India's seaborne thermal coal receipts estimated at 15.77mn t for the month, down from 15.84mn t a year earlier, according to trade analytics platform Kpler. By Saurabh Chaturvedi Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Australia’s Macquarie unwinds coking coal funding ban

13/05/25

News

13/05/25

Australia’s Macquarie unwinds coking coal funding ban

Sydney, 13 May (Argus) — Australian investment bank Macquarie has changed its investment rules to fund coking coal mines, in a partial reversal of its 2021 coal financing ban. The bank made the change in November 2024, it said in its annual report for the year ended 31 March, released last week. It will now make short-term funding deals lasting less than 12 months for coking coal developments, to help producers buy, expand, or run coking coal mines. Macquarie's rule change still bans long-term investments in coking coal projects. There are few viable alternatives to coking coal for the steel and industrial sectors, Macquarie said. The company has maintained its ban on thermal coal financing, apart from specific emissions reduction projects. It is also working on supporting emissions reduction projects in the Australian oil and gas sectors, although it did not disclose which projects. Macquarie is not the only bank moving away from fossil fuel financing. Australian bank ANZ will stop lending capital to companies heavily involved in the thermal coal sector by 2030. It reduced its lending to thermal coal mining firms by 85pc between 2015 and July 2024,it said in July last year. It also stopped [funding new upstream oil and gas projects](https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2566501), with limited exceptions, in May 2024. Macquarie has expanded its climate finance role over recent years. The bank set up a renewable energy business to fund utility-scale projects in Australia and New Zealand in November 2023. Macquarie is also involved in carbon markets. The company is continuing to help clients with compliance and voluntary carbon markets, including in newer locations like China, the company said, without disclosing further details. It has also purchased and retired 59,164t of CO2 equivalent of Australian Carbon Credit Units and other voluntary offsets to cover business travel in its 2024-25 financial year ended 31 March. By Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

New Zealand’s Fonterra starts electrode boiler

09/05/25

News

09/05/25

New Zealand’s Fonterra starts electrode boiler

Sydney, 9 May (Argus) — New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra has turned on an electrode boiler at its Edendale plant and commissioned two more. This will help reduce CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 72,800 t/yr from 2027. The co-operative's three boilers will replace coal-fired systems and be powered by renewable energy generated at Edendale, it said on 7 May. Emissions reductions from the plant will account for 4pc of Fonterra's target of a 50.4pc reduction in scope 1 and scope 2 emissions relative to 2018 levels by 2030. The co-operative has committed NZ$70mn ($41.3mn) to build the Edendale boilers, with additional co-funding from New Zealand's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). Fonterra's on-farm emissions are excluded from New Zealand's emissions trading system , but its coal boilers fall under the scheme. The co-operative has been moving away from coal boilers since 2018, reducing its CO2e emissions by 200,400 t/yr through six conversions. Fonterra has converted coal boilers into wood-fired and electrode boilers in collaboration with EECA. Its 2020 Te Awamutu coal-to-biomass boiler conversion led to a 98.4pc decline in CO2e emissions, from 90,395 t/yr to 1,425 t/yr, according to an EECA study. Fonterra was looking for 80,000-100,000t of Vietnamese wood pellets on a one-year contract starting in mid-2025 as it moves away from fossil fuels to renewables, market participants told Argus in December 2024. By Avinash Govind Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more