1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 13/09/2002   
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Contents >> Mining >> Mining production >> Fuel minerals

Coal and peat are mined in Tasmania, but peat (Sphagnum moss) is produced for horticultural applications rather than fuel.

There are known deposits of coal throughout Tasmania, but the most important are those located in the north east. Tasmanian coal is relatively high in ash content, which makes it unsuitable for export although it is quite satisfactory for local industry.

PRODUCTION OF FUEL MINERALS, Tasmania
 
Units
1999-2000
2000-01
Coal (run of mine)
tonnes
565,988
473,097
Coal (washed)
tonnes
398,181
349,389
Peat
m3
2,310
807
Source: Mineral Resources, Tasmania, Annual Review 2000-2001.

CORNWALL COAL COMPANY NL

Bituminous coal is mined by the Cornwall Coal Company at the Blackwood underground colliery near St Marys, the Duncan colliery at Fingal and Huntsman open cut on the northern slopes of Mt Nicholas. It is cleaned at a washery in Fingal, then distributed by rail. Seventy people were directly employed in 2000-01 and an additional 16 contractors.

Production totalled 466,185 tonnes in 2000-01 and is limited to providing the small local market.

Coal users include Australian Cement (Railton), Paper Tasmania (Burnie), Fletcher Challenge (Boyer), Cascade (Hobart), Cadbury's (Glenorchy), UMT (Spreyton) and Simplot (Ulverstone and Scottsdale).



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