great news for wind power, page-23

Here is a logistical problem that the wind turbine industry does not have to worry about. Extreme weather events happening every couple of years have had an impact on the coal industry costing millions of dollars.

How much of the cost is borne by the mining industry and how much is borne by the taxpayer?


Rail closure sparks force majeure declarations from three Queensland mining companies

by:John McCarthy From: The Courier-Mail February 05, 2013 12:00am


ROAD TO RUIN: Flooding has caused some roads to buckle and crack. Picture: Mark Calleja

YANCOAL has joined Rio Tinto and Xstrata in declaring force majeure on coal contracts following the central Queensland floods.

It said the declaration was forced on the company by the closure of the Blackwater rail corridor which was severely damaged by the flooding and where 2km of track was submerged.

Aurizon, formerly QR National, said floodwaters had started to recede in most areas allowing assessments to be made on the condition of the track.

It is expected the Blackwater track will reopen later this week.

Executive vice president of Aurizon Network Mike Carter said the damage was not as bad as 2011 and the majority of the network was unaffected.

"Fortunately the Newlands and Goonyella systems are operating normally," he said.

"However, further south, both the Moura and Blackwater systems remain closed and have been since January 25 and 26 respectively.

"On the bigger Blackwater system the network west of Duaringa is open but to the east track has been damaged in a number of locations most significantly between Edungalba and Duaringa.

On the Moura system about 3km of full earthworks formation was washed out between Stirrat-Clarke and Earlsfield.

Recovery will require the full replacement of all track and earthworks in these locations.

"Given the extent of the damage in these areas we are expecting to open the Moura system progressively west from Boundary Hill from February 18 with the last section impacting mines at Baralaba and Moura not to open until February 25," he said.

Mr Carter said he was confident once the track repair was undertaken there would be an opportunity for above rail operators to recover lost railings.

"The majority of mines have not been as severely impacted as 2011 and have been able to continue operations and stockpile tonnes," he said.

Yancoal said its Yarrabee mine was affected by heavy rain between January 24 and 27 which suspended production.

Mining restarted on January 28, but the water remaining in the pits will affect production for several more weeks.

Meanwhile, Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun has restarted operations at Gladstone.

Armando Torres, Rio's Bauxite & Alumina Pacific chief operating officer, said the refinery was being brought back online in stages.

"The Queensland Alumina refinery in Gladstone is progressing towards normal production rates," he said.

The bauxite mine in Weipa is also operating normally.