There are nine operating coal mines in the former Peak Downs Shire area. You can drive past some of these mines to view the size of their operations if you take either Peak Downs district Self Drive Tour 1 or 3. Brochure guides are available from Capella Newsagency or Council Offices in Conran Street. District Self Drive Tour information is also available on this website.

PEAK DOWNS AREA COAL MINING 

The 8,096km² of the former Peak Downs Shire makes up the northern section of the Central Highlands Regional Council area and hosts significant coal deposits. Mining began in the late 1970's with the opening of Gregory coal mine (1979). This was followed by the Oaky Creek coal mine in 1983. The township of Tieri was constructed to house the operational workforce for the latter mine. Underground mining operations commenced at German Creek Southern in December 1989 and three more mines were commissioned in the 1990's at Ensham, Crinum and Kestrel.

The Peak Downs Shire (1903 – 2008) area is host to about 10% of the identified resources of Permian-age Bowen Basin coal in Queensland. Coal resources are located within three coal-bearing sequences that lie in an acuate zone within its eastern portion. In this acuate zone, the operating coal mines are Gregory, Crinum, Crinum East, Oaky Creek No. 1, Oaky Creek North, German Creek, Grasstree, Kestrel, Kestrel West, Ensham and Yongala. There are two undeveloped coal resources, Valeria and Liskeard. Ongoing exploration continues to identify and upgrade the status of coal resources.