The final phase of coal deposition in the Bowen Basin in the...

The final phase of coal deposition in the Bowen Basin in the Late Permian resulted in the formation of Group IV coals. These include the Rangal Coal Measures, Baralaba Coal Measures and the Bandanna Formation. The coals in this group are the most diverse in terms of quality, and also the most widely distributed within the basin. Group IV coals were deposited under fluviatile, lacustrine and paludal conditions.

Although the quality and rank of Group IV coals vary greatly, they are characterised by comparatively low reactives content and low sulphur. They are of major economic importance as a source of coking, PCI (Pulverised Coal Injection) and thermal coal and have been mined intensively over the past 30 years. Fourteen open-cut mines (Moura, Blackwater-South Blackwater, Curragh, Ensham, Jellinbah East, Yarrabee, Foxleigh, German Creek East, Moorvale, Coppabella, South Walker, Burton, Hail Creek and Newlands) and two underground mines (Cook and Newlands) currently work the Group IV coal seams.

The Galilee Basin, which is connected to the Bowen Basin across the Springsure Shelf, also contains large quantities of high volatile, low rank thermal coal.

Extracted from: Mutton, A. J. (Compiler), 2003: Queensland Coals 14th Edition. Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines

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