From our Ore to Your Door - Episode 6 - Mining Pit Development

With exploration, drilling and planning complete, it’s time to start mining.

First, surveyors stake out the boundary of the area to be mined. A clearing permit verifies that the area to be mined is within the active lease, has
been cleared by the local Land Council, and has the correct government permit to be mined. Now the pit development can begin.

To get our large machinery to the site, trees and vegetation must be cleared. As part of this process, a wildlife expert carefully assesses the area for habitats and attempts to relocate any wildlife or nests that are present. Even after the initial relocation of wildlife, the wildlife expert remains onsite to continue monitoring for animals while the trees and scrub are removed.


With a clear area now available, scrapers remove topsoil and subsoil from the mining area. QMAG’s preference is to return topsoil and subsoil directly to areas previously mined to maximise rehabilitation success. When this is not possible, topsoil is stockpiled next to the pit so it can easily be recovered and spread once mining is complete and the void refilled. Subsoil is sometimes used to create levees around the pit to protect the excavations from flooding.


In the final step of our mining pit development, dozers, scrapers or excavators remove overburden and low-grade magnesite. With one eye always on rehabilitation and sustainability, this material is immediately placed directly into a prior excavation whenever possible. When this is not possible, the overburden is stockpiled temporarily until it can be used to fill in a nearby mining void.

Our new corporate video

We previewed it at the recent SAIMM Copper/Cobalt Conference in Zambia where it was warmly received. We would love your feedback as well!

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RACQ CapRescue Ball

On Friday, 21st July, Central Queensland residents donned their most beautiful dresses and suits to attend the biennial RACQ CapRescue Ball, presented by QMAG.

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Part 2 of the shaft kiln ignition ceremony post

and more pictures of Tim, Richy, Adam and the rest of the QMag team:

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We lit up our Shaft Kiln No. 3

Our QMAG production team in Parkhurst / Queensland lit up our Shaft Kiln No. 3 for Deadburned Magnesia production after a scheduled shutdown for maintenance and repairs.

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CCM for the agricultural market

For decades, QMAG has been committed to producing consistent and reliable high-quality magnesite and CCM products for the Agricultural market.

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Any remaining questions?

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as soon as we can.