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Queensland deluge wreaks havoc on Bowen Coking Coal’s (ASX:BCB) stockpiles and mine operations

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ASX:BCB      MCAP $207.6M
20 January 2023 14:28 (AEST)

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A rain storm in North Queensland has impacted Bowen Coking Coal’s (BCB) mining operations, affecting the stockpile profile of more than 143,000 tonnes that has been stuck at the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT).

The storm, which lasted six days, causing floods and landslides, forced the DBCT port to issue a force majeure (FM) notice to customers, a note of unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract.

Bowen had more than 143,000 tonnes of stock at the port ready for its maiden Cape Sized vessel, prior to receiving the FM notice.

The company said the wet weather has “significantly increased the total moisture of the coal and impacted the stockpile profiles”.

Bowen said management has estimated it will take between 10 to 14 days to be reshaped and allow moisture drainage in a bid to get to a level where it meets shipping and quality specifications.

Meanwhile, mining operations previously put on pause at the Broadmeadow East and Bluff mines were able to resume on Wednesday night.

The company said it was able to bounce back quickly at the Bluff mine because of “substantial investment in water management strategies,” which was excess water diverted to the pre-strip voids created for this kind of event.

The company said the rain is expected to have only minor impacts on the BME mining schedule.

In other company news, a fourth shipment of around 38,000 tonnes of quality, ultra low volatile PCI is expected to loaded onto a vessel for shipment before the end of January, after being delayed.

BCB shares last traded at 29 cents at 2:25 pm AEDT.

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