The miner’s metallurgical coal head office, along with around 50 BHP employees, will make the move north next year.

A BHP spokeswoman told International Longwall News the move meant the company was putting its resources “closer to where they need to be”.

BHP Billiton is a leading supplier to the global metallurgical coal market, supplying 28 million tonnes to the market in 2006 (not including its production from operations with BMA and BMC).

The move has been welcomed by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, who said it reflected the state’s importance in the coal industry.