Platts clarifies the cause of suspension for Anglo American's Moranbah North coking coal mine

Platts refers to Steel Business Briefing and Coal Trader International publications on Feb. 22 article titled "Anglo American suspends operations at Moranbah North coal mine on safety concerns" and Feb. 26 article titled "Anglo American declares Force Majeure for Moranbah North Mine products: Anglo".

The cause of the suspension was due to an elevated level of some gases in the goaf, which would indicate a coal heating issue and an overpressure event. It was not a gas leakage event.

The goaf is the area behind the longwall area that caves in behind the face post-mining. An over pressure event is a change in ventilation on the face.