Blair Athol Mine

Blair Athol Mine, located 20 km north west of Clermont in central Queensland, celebrated 25 years as a Rio Tinto Coal Australia operation in 2009. The coal deposit was originally discovered on the site in 1864 and was first mined in 1890. Between 1920 and 1945 coal was mined with an underground method, which is still visible today. The current open cut operation started in 1984.

Blair Athol Mine is scaling back its operations as it plans for closure in 2016 when its reserves are completely mined out. As its stockpile and train facilities will continue to be used by Clermont Mine, in 2009/10 the mine undertook significant refurbishment works on its stacker/reclaimers. This will ensure they continue to operate safely, efficiently and reliably now that their operating life is being extended through the start up of mining at Clermont Mine.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia manages the operation on behalf of the joint venture partners - Queensland Coal Pty Limited (57.2 per cent), Leichhardt Coal Pty Limited (31.4 per cent), J-Power Australia Pty Limited (8 per cent) and J.C.D Australia Pty Limited (3.4 per cent).