Coalmine reopens despite previous owners saying royalties made it unprofitable

Detailed summary

A new Queensland company has purchased its fourth Bowen Basin coal mine, employing 275 workers to reopen a coalmine.

A Queensland company has reopened the New Burton Coal Mine in the Bowen Basin.

Mine owner Argo Resources Queensland says the state's coal royalties did not deter it from investing.

A Queensland mining company has employed 275 workers and reopened a Bowen Basin coalmine that went into receivership in 2025.

Argo Resources Queensland purchased the New Burton Mine near Moranbah, about 120 kilometres south-west of Mackay, from Bowen Coking Coal in June.

It is the fourth mine Argo has a controlling interest in after acquiring a 70 per cent stake in Bowen Basin mines Broadlea, Carborough Downs and Ironbark in March for an undisclosed sum.

Premier David Crisafulli reopened the mine today, saying coal mining had a "bullish future".

"People need to know that the future of mining in Queensland is secure," Mr Crisafulli said.

"But also, the future of coal mining in Queensland, and I'm talking about both thermal and met [metallurgical] coal, there's a future for both."

He said the Queensland government had not contributed to the mine with financial incentives or delayed royalty payments.

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