Australian miner BHP Billiton has announced that it has opened its new Daunia mine, its ninth operating metallurgical coal mine in central Queensland. Construction work on the Daunia mine started in 2011 and was completed in July this year, under budget and with coal production beginning four months ahead of schedule.
According to BHP Billiton, in addition to the US$1.4 billion invested to construct the 4.5 million mt per year Daunia mine, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has committed US$7.7 billion for major projects in Queensland over the past three years.
The company's coal portfolio in Queensland includes seven BMA mines, the Hay Point Coal Terminal, as well as two BHP Billiton Mitsui Coal (BMC) coal mines, and South Walker Creek and Poitrel which are operated by BHP Billiton.