The serious tailgate roof fall occurred at Moranbah North on January 9, effectively putting the longwall out of action for nearly five months. Resumption of longwall production is set for May.

An Anglo Coal source told Energy Economics a new tailgate roadway being driven to restore ventilation around the panel was no longer an option and the mine would now abandon the panel and reinstall the longwall on the other side of the tailgate fall.

Energy Economics also reported in its monthly Coal Trade newsletter North Goonyella had also suffered a tailgate fall. Operations are expected to cease for two weeks.