Wesfarmers said Curragh was able to secure the award on the back of its strategy of dealing directly with international steel mills, enabling it to almost triple its exports since 2000 and defy the global financial crisis.

 

“Wesfarmers Curragh’s export success has been assisted through building direct relationships with select international steel mills, culminating in strong export results to major steel mills in Asia, Europe and South America,” Wesfarmers Resources managing director Stewart Butel said.

 

“Export sales increased by 12 per cent in 2008-09 despite world pig iron production plummeting by 21 per cent, the largest reduction in international demand in 40 years.

 

“Strong export sales made it possible for us to continue full production throughout the global financial crisis, at a time when many other mines were forced to reduce or halt production.

 

“Our success has benefited the company, but also allowed us to maintain our contribution to the broader economy through the provision of around 480 permanent jobs, local procurement of goods and services, taxes and royalties to government and substantial community support.”

 

Friday’s award follows two other recent export awards that saw Curragh take out the Minerals and Energy category of the 2009 Queensland Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc Export Excellence Awards as well as the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards in the Minerals and Energy category.

 

The Curragh open cut in Queensland’s Bowen Basin produces around 6.5 million tonnes of export coal and 2.5Mt of domestic coal per year.