Underground Gas Drainage Coordinator

Company Description

Steelmaking coal is an essential ingredient in blast-furnace steel manufacture, producing steel used for critical building and infrastructure around the world.  In Australia, we operate five steelmaking coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, and have additional joint venture interests in steelmaking coal and manganese, as well as copper exploration projects underway in North West Queensland and Western Australia.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Underground Gas Drainage Coordinator to join our Technical Services team at Moranbah North Mine.

This is a critical technical role responsible for the planning, design, coordination and monitoring of underground in-seam gas drainage activities. You will work closely with Ventilation and Gas, Mine Planning, Geology, Operations and specialist drilling contractors to ensure gas drainage programs are safely delivered ahead of development and longwall mining.

The role will suit someone with strong underground coal experience who understands gas drainage design, drilling operations and the importance of accurate planning, monitoring and compliance.

Reporting to the Ventilation and Gas Superintendent, you will take ownership of underground gas drainage programs from initial design through to drilling, monitoring and operational handover.

Gas drainage at Moranbah North includes underground in-seam and surface to in-seam strategies, with drainage programs designed to reduce gas content and support safe development and longwall operations.

What you will be doing

Your responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate the safe planning and delivery of underground gas drainage activities.
• Design underground in-seam drilling patterns aligned with the mine plan, geological information, gas reservoir conditions and operational requirements.
• Develop individual borehole designs and maintain accurate proposed and as drilled flight plans.
• Review gas content, permeability, geological structures, seam conditions and available drainage lead times when developing drilling programs.
• Coordinate drilling schedules to ensure gas drainage work is completed ahead of development and longwall mining.
• Review drilling logs, flight plans and borehole performance information to confirm drilling requirements have been achieved.
• Monitor gas flow, pressure, composition and borehole performance to assess drainage effectiveness.
• Maintain reservoir models and track gas drawdown against planned drainage and mining timeframes.
• Identify underperforming boreholes, restrictions, water accumulation or other issues that may affect drainage performance.
• Coordinate corrective work, additional drilling or changes to drainage designs where required.
• Support gas compliance drilling, coring and Permit to Mine requirements.
• Manage drilling contractors and monitor safety, quality, schedule and performance outcomes.
• Conduct underground inspections and audits of drilling sites, gas drainage stubs and associated infrastructure.
• Ensure drilling and gas drainage activities comply with site standards, permits, procedures, risk controls and the Safety and Health Management System.
• Provide clear technical advice and regular updates to Ventilation and Gas, Operations, Mine Planning, Geology and site leadership.

The site standard assigns the Gas Drainage Coordinator responsibility for drill pattern design with the relevant gas specialist, storage of proposed and actual flight plans, review of drilling information, borehole performance monitoring and management of gas drainage data.

Qualifications

What we are looking for

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• Demonstrated experience in underground coal mining and underground gas drainage.
• Experience coordinating underground in-seam drilling or gas drainage programs.
• Strong understanding of coal seam gas behaviour, borehole design, gas drainage infrastructure and drilling operations.
• Experience interpreting mine plans, geological information, drilling data and gas monitoring results.
• Knowledge of underground gas drainage risk controls, operational permits and compliance requirements.
• The ability to assess gas drainage performance and recommend practical corrective actions.
• Strong planning, organisation and contractor-management skills.
• Sound analytical and problem solving capability.
• Confidence working with operational, technical and contractor teams.
• Strong written communication, reporting and record management skills.
• A practical and safety focused approach to underground work.

Qualifications and experience

The following will be highly regarded:

• Tertiary qualifications in Mining Engineering, Geology, Ventilation, Drilling or a related technical discipline.
• Underground coal supervisory qualifications or relevant site recognised competencies.
• Experience with AutoCAD or similar mine design software.
• Experience with gas reservoir modelling, gas flow monitoring and technical data analysis.
• Knowledge of Queensland underground coal mining legislation.
• Experience working across development and longwall operations.
• S1, S2, S3 and G2 competencies, or the ability to obtain the required competencies.
• Current Australian driver’s licence.

A current market listing for a comparable Gas Drainage Coordinator position calls for gas drainage operations experience and identifies a Mining Engineering or related degree as preferred.

Additional Information

What we offer

• A permanent opportunity within an experienced underground Technical Services team.
• 7 days on, 7 days off roster, FIFO and DIDO available
• Competitive salary, superannuation and annual incentive arrangements.
• Subsidised accommodation and camp options, subject to role eligibility.
• Relocation assistance for the right candidate.
• Access to technical training, professional development and career opportunities.
• The opportunity to influence gas drainage strategies supporting future mine development and longwall production.
• A role with direct impact on underground safety, compliance and operational readiness.

Who we are

We aim to lead the industry by pursuing ever safer and more responsible ways of working, demonstrating integrity, and showing care and respect for people and the planet. That means we are constantly seeking new opportunities to mine and process our products sustainably, using less water, less energy and more precise extraction technologies.  Anglo American is a leading global mining company focused on the responsible production of copper, premium iron ore and crop nutrients – future-enabling products that are essential for decarbonising the global economy, improving living standards, and food security. Our extraordinary teams work safely and collaboratively to unlock enduring value from precious natural resources for our shareholders, for the benefit of the communities and countries in which we operate, and for society as a whole. Anglo American is re-imagining mining to improve people’s lives. 

Background checks

Successful candidates will be required to complete background screening which may include a criminal check and validation of qualifications.

Inclusion and Diversity

Anglo American is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential.

How we are committed to your safety

Nothing is more important to us than ensuring you return home safely after a day’s work. To make that happen, we have the most rigorous safety standards in the industry and continue to invest in new technologies.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please complete our online application form. You will have the opportunity to upload your CV and other relevant documentation as part of this process.

REF81172Z

CLOSING DATE 

17 September 2026

Please note, screening and interviews may take place prior to closing date applications may also close before this date.

Recruitment Agencies

Anglo American Steelmaking Coal does not accept unsolicited applications from Recruitment Agencies.