An Ensham spokesman told ILN the operation was unaffected, even though other mines in the Bowen Basin are experiencing mild to severe disruptions.

Ensham has implemented various flood mitigation measures since 2008.

The private company’s Central Operation project is being assessed by the Queensland government.

While the open cut operation has an estimated mine life of up to 20 years at a rate of 8-9 million tonnes per annum of raw coal production, Ensham aims to start up longwall and bord and pillar mining.

Ensham does not seek to change the total approved production capacity of up to 12Mtpa of run-of-mine coal, but underground mining is expected to produce about 6-8Mtpa ROM.