Media Type: SIMEC

SIMEC Mining’s Tahmoor Coking Coal Operation has posted record annual production and output on the back of significant capital investment by GFG Alliance, strong steel and mining markets, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Peter Vale, SIMEC Mining Head of Coal Mines, said the coking coal mine recorded 40-year highs in its yearly, monthly and daily output in FY21.

“The team has put in an incredible effort hitting records well above expectation,” said Peter.

Tahmoor’s yearly output of nearly 3 million tonnes was more than 200,000 tonnes better than the previous benchmark, while the coal handling and preparation plant also washed a record 2.8 million tonnes in the full year.

“Our strong performance has come on the back of significant capital investment by GFG Alliance including investment in some new state-of-the-art equipment, a sustained continuous improvement program and backed by a strong focus on maintaining high operational standards.

Earlier this year the Tahmoor operation received conditional approval from the Independent Planning Commission for the Tahmoor South Project, which provides consent for a 10-year extension to the life of the mine.

It is anticipated that the project will create more than 170 new jobs during the construction phase and boost the local economy over the life of the project.

SIMEC Mining has commenced work on the latest opportunity for its Whyalla Port operations – the deconstruction, scrapping and recycling (DSR) of its first decommissioned vessel.

As announced in March, SIMEC is partnering with McMahon Services to cut up the decontaminated hull of the ex‐HMAS Success for recycling.

General Manager Operational Transformation Greg McMillan said the work complies with the strictest environmental conditions, with a development application for the activity approved by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure and associated referral and review by the Environment Protection Authority.

“This work is utilising local maritime services and other contractor services, as well as presenting an opportunity for greater scope should we secure more DSR work through the Whyalla Port in the future,” Mr McMillan said.

Visit the SIMEC website to read the full media release.

SIMEC, part of Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance, has accelerated plans for the deployment of its biodiesel generators through the acquisition of Fleetsolve, an award-winning company with 17 years of experience developing, operating and maintaining biofueled combined heat and power (CHP) generation equipment.

In a deal agreed this week, SIMEC is taking full ownership of Wirral-based Fleetsolve and its sister company Fuelsolve. The transaction will bring well-established engineering expertise and market-leading technology into the group.

Fleetsolve won the Merseyside Innovation Prestige Award in 2018, in recognition of its cutting-edge approach to renewable power generation. SIMEC, through Fleetsolve, will launch a nationwide campaign to identify customers who will benefit from carbon-neutral energy coupled with the resilience of having on-site power or combined heat and power generation.

Combining SIMEC’s portfolio of compact containerised generators with Fleetsolve’s expertise, the CHP units range from 250kW to 18MW in capacity and can operate continuously for 24 hours a day customer sites, delivering clean and reliable power for industrial and commercial users.

Read the full media release on the SIMEC website

GFG Alliance has today completed the acquisition of the high‐quality Tahmoor coking coal mine in New South Wales, which is now officially under the ownership of GFG’s SIMEC Mining division following Ministerial approval.

The acquisition of the Tahmoor mine is an important element in GFG Alliance’s broader transformation plan for its flagship Liberty OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia that is designed to optimise and expand production, thereby securing its long‐term sustainability.

The Tahmoor mine – which employs more than 300 people – is a coking coal operation situated around 75km southwest of Sydney. Annual production is currently around two million tonnes per annum, the bulk of which is high‐quality coking coal used for primary steel making in blast furnaces both in Australia and internationally. The Tahmoor mine is an important supplier of coking coal to the Whyalla Steelworks.

GFG Alliance Executive Chairman, Sanjeev Gupta, said the well‐run asset was highly regarded in domestic and international markets for its grade and quality.

“I am delighted to welcome the Tahmoor mine employees and surrounding community into our GFG family,” Mr Gupta said.

“The acquisition of the Tahmoor mine is an exciting step forward in our strategy to create fully‐integrated, end‐to‐end businesses in Australia, from raw materials and energy right through to high‐value finished products ready for market.

“Through this purchase, we secure and de‐risk an important feed for the Whyalla Steelworks. This, together with our iron ore mines in South Australia, now makes GFG the only fully‐integrated Australian steel producer, whether from iron ore and coking coal to primary steel, or from scrap metal and renewable energy to GREENSTEEL.”

SIMEC Mining Chief Operating Officer, Matt Reed, said this significant acquisition considerably expanded the scope of the Mining business beyond the Middleback Ranges region.

“The inclusion of the Tahmoor coking coal mine into our operations represents an exciting opportunity for our business,” Mr Reed said.

“We have commenced broadening our portfolio, making our business more robust and secure for the longterm.”