Commodore Mine

Location: South East Queensland

Client: Millmerran Power Partners

Commodity: Thermal Coal

 

Our Operations

 

Located adjacent to the Millmerran Power Station, the Commodore Mine is the power station’s sole source of coal fuel supply. The BUMA  team have been providing a total mine service to Millmerran Power Partners since September 2001, delivering typically 3.6 million tonnes of raw coal per year to the power station.

We are responsible for the operation and management of the mine and associated activities, including providing mine planning and design expertise, drill and blast services, overburden stripping, coal mining and rehabilitation. We also hold statutory responsibility for the mine site, ensuring compliance with the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act and Regulations.

The Commodore project employs around 140 people, including staff, mine operations and equipment maintenance personnel. The majority of the workforce is employed from the local community.

Our fleet comprises of the following:

  • 1 x Hitachi 3600-6 Excavator
  • 3 x Liebherr 9350/994 Excavators
  • 1 x O&K RH120 Excavator
  • 3 x Komatsu D475 Super Dozers
  • 1 x CATD11T Dozer
  • 1 x Komatsu WA 900 Loader
  • 4 x CAT 785 Trucks
  • 10 x CAT 789 Trucks
  • 2 x CAT 789 Trucks (Hired)
  • 2 x CAT 777 Trucks
  • 2 x CAT 16M Graders
  • 4 x CAT D10 Dozers
  • 2 x CAT 773E Water Trucks
  • 1 x DML Atlas Copco Drill
  • 1 x SKL Bucyrus Erie Drill

 

Community and Environment

 

Commodore Mine is located in a sensitive agricultural region close to farms and the township of Millmerran.

We work closely with the community to operate a safe and environmentally responsible mining operation. Dust, noise and blasting restrictions are managed to ensure minimal impact. Special attention is placed on rehabilitation of the post-mine landform, which must be capable of supporting long-term primary industries, such as grazing. Water management is effected through the use of contour banks, sediment traps and sediment dams, separating mine run-off water from clean water in accordance with the Site Water Management Plan.

Environmental sustainability solutions have been applied to all aspects of the mine’s operations, including water recycling, waste management, rehabilitation, and the current significant challenge of climate change. The project is self-sufficient in its water use and prioritises innovative rehabilitation practices that minimise disturbance and protect rare grass species.

 

Commodore Back Creek Diversion

 

The Back Creek Project is an earthworks civil construction designed as a 6 km meandering creek bed comprising floodplains, terraces, and a clay lined low flow channel. It is constructed within the overburden backfilled for rehabilitation of previously mined out coal seams.

The work involved excavation and localised placement of 30 ha of floodplain and terraces. The primary activity centred on excavation and then placement of a 3m thick liner to form the Low Flow Channel. This was required to be placed, compacted and tested in 250 mm layers to +/-100mm accuracy. The scope also required topsoiling, vegetation, installation of timber habitat and embankment construction for interim flood levies.

The project required a complete Quality Assurance program to ensure all statutory regulations and environmental requirements were achieved to the highest standard.

The Back Creek diversion attracted attention from a range of stakeholders including Indigenous heritage considerations, local community members and government departments.

The project was self-sufficient in its water use. Innovative rehabilitation practices were prioritised to rehabilitate disturbed areas, recreate the original landform and ensure strict adherence to reinstating original tree and grass species for the area.

Scroll to Top