Anglo American said its metallurgical coal production increased by 26% to 4.2 million metric tons (mt) during Q2 2024, primarily driven by higher longwall production at the Grosvenor underground longwall operation. A fire at Grosvenor, however, caused the company to reduce its annual guidance to 14-15.5 million mt (previously 15-17 million mt). It said it is still hoping to sell its coal assets.
Among its other operations, production increased at the Dawson open cut operation, but that was more than offset by lower production at the Aquila longwall operation due to ongoing difficult strata conditions, as well as sequencing issues at the Capcoal open cut operation, where they are moving more overburden. The company said production at its Moranbah longwall operation was broadly flat owing to ongoing challenges with difficult strata conditions.
A planned longwall move at Moranbah is expected to take place during Q4 2024. A walk-on/walk-off longwall move at Aquila, that will have a minimal production impact, is scheduled in Q3 2024.
Anglo said the Grosvenor mine has been stabilized and it is re-establishing comprehensive underground gas monitoring, prior to being able to assess the steps toward a safe re-entry into the mine. The procedures are expected to take several months as a result of the likely damage underground.
