Recovery of Australian coal mines need months - Report

Sunday, 16 Jan 2011

Reuters reported that coal mines in Australia's flood ravaged Queensland state could take up to six months to return to full operation as the lack of water pumping and storage capacity is slowing efforts to clear pits.

Mr Dave Walker, who manages water pumping for Total Water Management, a mining contractor said that “There's just nothing left to hire, all the pumps are working non stop. It could be months before all the water is out.”

Mr Walker said that “Production has restarted in a few places and the lucky ones will be clear in two to four weeks but some mines will take three to six months.”

Mr Warrick Ryan, an Operations Manager at Bowen Basin Hire, which rents out pumping equipment, said the pump capacity is only part of the issue as many mines simply lack the water storage capacity to clear pits.

He said “You can't just run the water into the creek, you have to store it somewhere and many places are running out. I'd say it'll be three to five months before all the water's knocked out if there's no more rain.”

As per report, open pit mines bore the brunt of the flooding, while underground deposits largely escaped damage.

Courtesy news by Reuters