Australia halts some coal mining ops as severe cyclone nears

Bring it on: A sign can be seen painted on the fence of a home regarding the arrival of Cyclone Debbie in the northern Australian town of Bowen. Some coal mines in Queensland are halting production in anticipation of the strong winds. – Reuters

SYDNEY: BHP Billiton Ltd and Glencore Plc are halting production at some coal mines in Australia’s Queensland before the biggest cyclone to hit the state in six years approaches the east coast.

South Walker Creek metallurgical coal mine operations will be suspended from the end of day shift yesterday and preparations are under way to manage increased rainfall throughout the week, BHP said in a statement. Glencore is preparing to temporarily halt output from the Collinsville and Newlands mines, the company said in a separate release.