Aquila Mine has taken home a top mining award for groundbreaking technology advancements to minimise human presence in underground areas.

The mine in Middlemount won the Outstanding Mine Performance category at the Australian Mining Prospect Awards 2023 on Thursday night.

The mine – one of five Anglo American steelmaking coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin - was also a finalist in the Excellence in Mine Safety category.

The mine features two longwall systems ensuring production continuity. Both longwalls are fully remote capable from the site-based Remote Operations Centre (ROC) on the surface of the mine.

This pivotal transformation has reduced operational exposure to underground areas by about 15,000 hours a year.

Aquila Mine General Manager Shane McDowall said transitioning to remote longwall operations set the stage for impressive production performance and established an unparalleled model of safety and stability.

He said Aquila Mine had achieved unprecedented levels of consistent remote autonomous longwall production.

“Currently achieving 100% of remote-operated longwall shears per week from its ROC, the mine boasts an industry-first suite of automation systems and an intricate camera network,” he said.

“These components harmonise seamlessly to guide coal cutting with unparalleled precision and efficiency.

“This strategic move eliminates the need for human presence in hazardous environments, marking a significant step toward minimising potential exposure.”

Anglo American Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen said safety, innovation and sustainability were critical to the future of mining in Queensland.

“Aquila Mine stands out as a pinnacle of technological advancement among Australia's longwall operations, capitalising on Anglo American's groundbreaking strides in longwall automation, remote management, and data analytics,” he said.

“The primary aim of implementing remote operations in the context of longwall mining is minimising personnel exposure on the longwall, preferencing operations from surface based control rooms.

“This strategic move aligns with our unwavering commitment to safety.

“Aquila Mine's exceptional achievements stand as a testament to its dedication to innovation, safety, and collaboration.

“By combining state-of-the-art technologies with a collaborative approach, the mine has emerged as a leader in the industry, reshaping the future of underground coal mining on a global scale.”