The phased resumption of safe production rates follows the Brazilian miner’s decision on Monday to lift the declaration of force majeure which suspended contractual obligations at the Bowen Basin mine due to an unexpected and extenuating circumstance.
As reported in ILN, the mine had thought it had a gas and heating emergency under control and was gearing up to return to full production after dangerous gas levels led to a directive by the Queensland mines inspectorate to halt production on May 29.
The company declared force majeure two days later. No employees were injured and no environmental damage was reported.
Stoppages related to high CO2 levels resulted in a 75% year-on-year plummet in second quarter production at the operation. Second quarter production totalled only 82,000 tonnes compared to 325,000t in the first quarter.
Vale said that a gradual return to normal production rates and resumption of client deliveries would follow resolution of remaining “operational and geological issues” related to the closure.
The mine is enacting strategies to lower the oxygen content in the goaf to minimise any potential further temperature rise and potential ignition of methane. This includes bulldozing cracks on the surface of the mine above the longwall panel.
