This surpassed its previous production record of 6.9 million ROM tonnes set in 2015.

Coupled with this is MNM’s best longwall production rate to date of 9582m and record saleable tonnes washed of 5.7Mt.

Moranbah North proved in LW111 that with high operational standards and attention to detail the operation could maintain positive safety and consistent production in the more challenging areas, the mine's general manager Craig Manz said.

“I am extremely proud of what Moranbah North mine has achieved in 2016 and look forward to building on this fantastic baseline in 2017,” he said. 

Manz reaffirmed the mine’s focus on safety, sending a strong message to workers at all levels of the operation that not one tonne of coal would be turned or washed if it put anyone at risk. 

“Mates don’t let mates get hurt and at MNM we have a great team culture,” he said.

“The positive improvements, feedback and collective approach to safety demonstrated by everyone at MNM – surface and underground – has contributed an amazing outcome.”

Manz said 2017 was looking to be an "interesting year with unpredictable coal prices and challenges" with the start-up of LW112 in what had historically been known as “tiger country” due its structured strata.