OREANDA-NEWS. September 3, 2012. Vale informs that it lifted force majeure (FM) at the Carborough Downs metallurgical coal operation in the Central Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia. FM was declared on May 31, 2012, following the detection of abnormal levels of carbon monoxide in the mine. No employees were adversely affected and no environmental damage occurred.

Carborough Downs has resumed production at a safe rate. Output will gradually normalize as the remaining operational and geological issues are resolved. In the second quarter of 2012, Carborough Downs produced 82,000 metric tons of metallurgical coal.