Click here for photos of site tour and workshop

The stages of resource production, from the first dig at the pit to despatch at the port, became a lot clearer for a group of Bowen State High School students participating in a unique two-day learning experience this week.

Thanks to the generous support of Abbot Point Operations (APO) the Year 7 students spent yesterday getting an exclusive tour of Bowen’s North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) giving them a new perspective of the export supply chain and the stages from coal production to export.

The learnings from the site tour were then applied at a school ‘Pit to Port’ workshop today delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council.

Bowen State High School principal Robert Harris said the two-day program was a special educational experience for the students.

“I’d like to thank Abbot Point Operations for making the workshop and excursion possible as it gave the students a real insight into the various stages involved in production and distribution, which plays such a big part in our community and economy,” said Mr Harris.

Abbot Point Operations General Manager – Port Operations, Allan Brown, said the QMEA program reinforces APO’s commitment to local employment and skills development.

“Queensland’s resources industry has a bright future, continuing to provide thermal and metallurgical coal to the world.”

“The North Queensland Export Terminal (NQXT) plays a pivotal role in the industry, working alongside renewables to provide affordable and reliable energy solutions.”

“This means that the NQXT will be operating safely and responsibly for many years, contributing to the economic and social opportunities for Bowen and the Whitsundays.”

“The work we do requires a variety of skills and the QMEA program is a great way for the next generation to understand the resources industry and the different career options and pathways that exist within our business, right here in the local community.” Mr Brown said.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said it was a two-day adventure of discovery.

“After the site tour, the students will be working with members of the APO team to complete a series of challenges in the QMEA’s Pit to Port workshop back at school,” said Ms Jones.

“They will complete tasks examining activities like train scheduling, ship load capacity, harbour planning and environmental safety,” she said.

“By the end of the two-day experience they will have a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to safely and efficiently operate a big-scale coal export terminal.”