Kestrel Coal Mine
| This article is part of the Global Coal Mine Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor. |
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Kestrel Coal Mine is an operating coal mine in Emerald, Queensland, Australia.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Mine Name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Kestrel Coal Mine | Emerald, Queensland, Australia | -23.236333, 148.3583273 (exact) |
The map below shows the exact location of the coal mine:
Project Details
Table 2: Project status
| Status | Status Detail | Opening Year | Closing Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating | – | 1992[1] | 2033 (planned)[1] |
Table 3: Operation details
| Capacity (Mtpa) | Production (Mtpa) | Year of Production | Mine Type | Mining Method | Mine Size (km2) | Mine Depth (m) | Workforce Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5[2] | 6.025365[3] | 2025[3] | Underground | Longwall | 260[4] | 250 | 400[5] |
Table 4: Coal resources and destination
| Total Reserves (Mt) | Year of Total Reserves Recorded | Total Resources (Mt) | Coalfield | Coal Type | Coal Grade | Primary Consumer/ Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 175[2] | 2023[2] | 411[2] | Bowen | Bituminous | Thermal & Met | Terminal (Export) |
Table 5: Ownership and parent company
| Owner | Parent Company | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| Kestrel Coal Resources [100.0%] | EMR Capital [45.4%]; Adaro Energy [34.6%]; Mitsui and Company [20%] | Australia, Indonesia, Japan |
Table 6: Historical production (unit: million tonnes per annum)
| ROM or Saleable | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROM[3] | 6.17[3] | 6.34[3] | 7.76[3] | 8.18[3] | 7.48[3] | 7.39[3] | 7.46[3] | – | 6.03[3] |
Reported Methane Emissions Data
Global Energy Monitor collates facility-scale methane emissions data reported by government and company sources collected in a systematic fashion. This mine is associated with the following methane emissions reports:
Table 7: Methane emissions
| Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions (thousand tonnes CO2 equivalent) | Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions (thousand tonnes CH4) | Year of Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions | Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions (thousand tonnes) Reference | Reference type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30.30082142857143 | 2514.968179 | 2024-25 | [6] | national government data |
Note: The above sections were automatically generated and are based on data from the Global Coal Mine Tracker August 2026 release.
Reported Methane Emissions Data
Global Energy Monitor collates facility-scale methane emissions data reported by government and company sources collected in a systematic fashion. This mine is associated with the following methane emissions reports:
Table 7: Methane emissions
| Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions (thousand tonnes CO2 equivalent) | Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions (thousand tonnes CH4) | Year of Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions | Reported Coal Mine Methane Emissions (thousand tonnes) Reference | Reference type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30.301 | 2514.968 | 2024-25 | [6] | national government data |
Note: The above sections were automatically generated and are based on data from the Global Coal Mine Tracker May 2026 release.
Ownership Tree
This ownership tree is part of the Global Energy Ownership Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.
Background
The Kestrel mine is an underground mine — previously known as Gordonstone mine — located 40 km north east of Emerald in the Bowen Basin in central Queensland. After being washed and prepared for sale, the coal is railed 300km southeast to the Port of Gladstone where it is shipped to international customers. The mine uses a longwall method.[7]
In 2019, the mine produced 6.76 million tonnes of coking coal.[7]
Mining began at Kestrel in 1992, when the mine was known as Gordonstone. At the time, the coal project was led by a joint venture between ARCO, an American oil company, Mitsui, a Japanese coal trader, and an Australian company known as MLC. ARCO had 80% of the ownership. By 1996-97, annual production capacity was around 4.4 mtpa.[8]
In 1999, Rio Tinto bought the majority stake in Kestrel mine.[8] Rio Tinto operated the mine until 2018, when its share was bought by EMR Capital Group (41.6%) and PT Adaro Energy.[9] Rio Tinto also oversaw a $2 billion expansion that was begun in 2008 and completed in 2013. According to Mining Technology, the expansion increased the mine’s annual production capacity to 6 million tonnes per year and extended ist life until 2032.[10] However, in 2017, the mine produced just 4.25 million tonnes of hard coking coal.[11]
Under EMR Capital Group’s and PT Adaro Energy’s ownership, annual production increased to 6.76 million tonnes per year in 2019, achieving a record run-of-mine (ROM) coal mining volume in underground mining.[7]
- Sponsor: Kestrel Coal Resources (80%), Mitsui Coal Australia (20%)[7]
- Parent Company: EMR Capital (45.4%), Adaro Energy (34.6%), Mitsui and Company (20%)[12]
- Location: About 50 kilometers from Emerald, in northeast Queensland.
- GPS Coordinates: -23.236333, 148.3583273 (exact)
- Status: Operating[7]
- Production Capacity: 5.67 (in 2021)[7]
- Total Resource: 431 Mt (as of 2019)[7]
- Mineable Reserves: 190 Mt[7]
- Coal type: coking coal[7]
- Mine Size:
- Mine Type: underground, longwall[7]
- Mine Depth: 250 m[13]
- Start Year: 1992[8]
- Source of Financing:
Joint venture
PT Adaro Energy and EMR Capital Ltd (EMR) acquired Rio Tinto’s 80% interest in the Kestrel Coal Mine (Kestrel) in August 2018 to jointly manage and operate Kestrel’s mine. Upon completion of the deal, ownership stakes in Kestrel consisted of Kestrel Coal Resources Pty Ltd (80%) and Mitsui Coal Australia (20%). Kestrel Coal Resources Pty Ltd is a joint venture company formed by EMR (52%) and AE (48%).[7]
Coal Mine Boundaries and Methane Sources
Global Energy Monitor researchers have identified coal mine boundary/boundaries and potential sources of coal mine methane (CMM) for this mine. These research results can be used to drive CMM attribution and mitigation efforts, particularly when combined with remotely sensed methane plume locations and mine ownership data. Explore the results with the embedded map at the top of this page by clicking on the mine boundary polygon or the CMM placemarkers to reveal more details. A detailed description of this research can be found in Coal Mine Boundaries and Methane Sources. This data is also available as a downloadable companion dataset to the Global Coal Mine Tracker and the Global Methane Emitters Tracker.
Table SMP1: Coal mine boundaries and methane sources data
| ID | Mine feature category | Mine feature subcategory | Description | Coordinates precision | Data source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M0058.B1 | mine boundary | underground | Kestrel Mine boundary | extracted | 12/2021, 12/2024 |
| M0058.P1 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P2 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P3 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P4 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P5 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P6 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P7 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P8 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P9 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P10 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P11 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P12 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P13 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P14 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P15 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P16 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P17 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P18 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P19 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P20 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P21 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P22 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P23 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P24 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P25 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P26 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P27 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P28 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P29 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P30 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P31 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P32 | degasification system | flare | flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P33 | degasification system | gas well | gas well | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P34 | degasification system | gas well | gas well | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P35 | degasification system | gas well | gas well | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P36 | degasification system | gas well | gas well | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P37 | degasification system | gas well | gas well | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P38 | degasification system | gas well | gas well | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P39 | degasification system | gas well | gas well | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P40 | degasification system | gas well | gas well | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P41 | ventilation system | vent | ventilation shaft | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P42 | ventilation system | shaft | ventilation shaft | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P43 | ventilation system | shaft | ventilation shaft | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P44 | ventilation system | shaft | ventilation shaft | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P45 | ventilation system | vent | ventilation shaft | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P46 | ventilation system | shaft | ventilation shaft | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P47 | degasification system | flare | possible flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P48 | degasification system | flare | possible flare | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P49 | ventilation system | shaft | possible decommissioned ventilation shaft | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P50 | ventilation system | shaft | ventilation system | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
| M0058.P51 | degasification system | flare | possible location of flare built since 3/2023 | extracted | 2023-03-01 00:00:00 |
Table SMP2: Coal mine boundaries and methane sources data (continued)
| ID | Notes |
|---|---|
| M0058.B1 | Five mining leases for the mine were determined by cross-referencing mining leases in the Queensland Mining Leases dataset, https://web.archive.org/web/20250327173139/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/queensland-mining-and-exploration-tenure-series/resource/f87794b8-7b9a-4732-89bb-56ccb2228d27, with mining leases in 'Schedule 3 13: Mining Black Coal' in Environmental authority EPML00693413, taking effect on 24 December 2021 , https://web.archive.org/web/20250327173312/https://storagesolutiondocsprod.blob.core.windows.net/register-documents-ea/EPML00693413.pdf, namely ML 1978 (KESTREL), ML 70301 (KESTREL EXTENSION #1), ML 70302 (KESTREL EXTENDED #2), ML 70330 (KESTREL EXTENSION #3) and ML 70481 (KESTREL EXTENDED #4). The one mineral adjacent development license (MDL 182) was determined using Exploration permits for coal , https://web.archive.org/web/20250327173350/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/queensland-mining-and-exploration-tenure-series/resource/2f41c969-a804-4ff5-93dc-6bd5e7200236. The boundary is the outer perimeter of the five contiguous mining leases' boundaries, and has an area of 120 sq km. |
| M0058.P1 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P2 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P3 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P4 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P5 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P6 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P7 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P8 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P9 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P10 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P11 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P12 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P13 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P14 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P15 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P16 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P17 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P18 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P19 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P20 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P21 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P22 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P23 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P24 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P25 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P26 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P27 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P28 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P29 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P30 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P31 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P32 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P33 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P34 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P35 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P36 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P37 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P38 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P39 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P40 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P41 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P42 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P43 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P44 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P45 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P46 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P47 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P48 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P49 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. This is possibly decommissioned based on inspection of satellite imagery from January 2016, where an apparently in tact ventilation system is visible. |
| M0058.P50 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. |
| M0058.P51 | Identified visually from Google Earth Pro satellite imagery. Location was based on colocation of a MARS plume(s) source, but the asset cannot be accurately categorized using satellite imagery at this time. |
Methane Plumes Detected Nearby
Global Energy Monitor researchers analyze satellite-detected methane plumes in order to determine whether they have been observed at or near the site of GEM energy assets. The satellite data provider creates imagery of individual methane plumes and estimates their emission rates at the time of observation. GEM has reviewed many of these plume detections against Google Earth imagery and GEM’s own energy infrastructure tracker data. The following table lists methane plumes which are associated with the energy asset or facility based on distance and manual review. (A full description of the analysis process is available in the Global Methane Emitters Tracker methodology wiki page.)
Table M1: Plume details
| Observation date | Satellite data provider | Location of plume origin | Methane emissions rate | Additional plume information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-05-05T00:44:44+00 | CarbonMapper, emi20230505t004444p16007-B | -23.2995, 148.3228[14] | 2166.742 kg/hr[14] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2023-05-05, 2 |
| 2023-11-28T23:44:58+00 | CarbonMapper, emi20231128t234458p15021-A | -23.2999, 148.3235[14] | 3275.083 kg/hr[14] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2023-11-28, 1 |
| 2024-08-22T00:16:38+00 | CarbonMapper, 14d03fff-9a0f-4808-bb83-c2d20f1e0828 | -23.2995, 148.323[15] | 1264.0 kg/hr[15] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2024-08-22, 1 |
| 2024-09-20T00:16:34+00 | CarbonMapper, 1a356664-694e-4264-9762-f4aa6fe9e9d5 | -23.2995, 148.323[15] | 1674.0 kg/hr[15] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2024-09-20, 2 |
| 2024-10-19T00:34:31+00 | CarbonMapper, tan20241019t003431c00s4001-A | -23.2997, 148.3229[14] | 1669.244 kg/hr[14] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2024-10-19, 1 |
| 2024-10-31T00:54:58+00 | CarbonMapper, emi20241031t005458p01043-A | -23.2996, 148.3234[14] | 4740.826 kg/hr[14] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2024-10-31, 3 |
| 2025-02-15T00:37:45+00 | CarbonMapper, tan20250215t003745c00s4001-A | -23.3, 148.3232[14] | 1812.659 kg/hr[14] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2025-02-15, 1 |
| 2025-04-11T00:16:39+00 | CarbonMapper, 28e4476c-188f-4ca7-be6b-ca87c7cc5f4b | -23.2995, 148.323[15] | 2727.0 kg/hr[15] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2025-04-11, 1 |
| 2025-04-26T00:46:22+00 | CarbonMapper, tan20250426t004622c00s4001-A | -23.2998, 148.323[14] | 981.5028 kg/hr[14] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2025-04-26, 1 |
| 2025-07-12T00:56:51+00 | CarbonMapper, tan20250712t005651c64s4001-A | -23.2994, 148.3229[14] | 3028.699 kg/hr[14] | Queensland State Methane Observation 2025-07-12, 1 |
Articles and Resources
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of world coal mines, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Mine Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://kestrelcoal.com/what-we-do/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://www.qrc.org.au/our-members/kestrel-coal-resources/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 https://web.archive.org/web/20260626195933/https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/coal-industry-review-statistical-tables/resource/bab54159-f38b-4e6f-8652-4b04bca29139. Archived from the original on 26 June 2026.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ (PDF) https://web.archive.org/web/20260520171537/https://minedocs.com/23/Kestrel-TR-2015.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2026.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.mining.com/web/kestrel-mine-extension-starts-production/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://cer.gov.au/document/baselines-and-emissions-table-2024-25-0.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 "Adaro Mining," "Adaro website," accessed June 2020.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Lilyvale Stand Monument," "Queensland Government," January 20, 2016.
- ↑ "AE and EMR Win Rio Tinto's Kestrel Bidding," "Adaro website," March 27, 2018.
- ↑ "Kestrel Mine, Central Queensland," "Mining Technology," accessed June 2020.
- ↑ "Report of Material Information or Facts," "Adaro," accessed June 2020.
- ↑ "Kestrel Mine," "Mining Data Solutions," accessed June 2020.
- ↑ [Kestrel Mine Extension Start Production Mining Weekly, July 13, 2013
- ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 url=https://data.carbonmapper.org/
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 url=https://methanedata.unep.org/
