Diversified mining company Anglo American has been awarded rehabilitation certification for 82 ha of land at its Dawson coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen basin.

The area, located near the towns of Moura, Banana and Theodore, is now used for cattle grazing, with up to 135 head of cattle agisted on the site. The certification was granted under the Environmental Protection Act by Queensland’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

“We’ve been working towards this since 2012 and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the land thriving again – this time as productive grazing country,” said Anglo American environmental manager Jason Fittler.

“Our goal has always been to return the land to a sustainable use and this certification shows we’re doing just that.

“It is a significant step forward in building trust with our communities. Ultimately, the land will return to them, so it’s important we prove we’ve been responsible custodians.”

The rehabilitation process involved reshaping the land, replacing topsoil containing native seed banks and beneficial bacteria, and sowing grass to prevent erosion and provide feed. Water infrastructure was also installed to support livestock.

“Some of the land is better than it was before mining,” said Mick Kucks of MNK Kucks Pastoral, who is agisting cattle on the site. “The cattle are hard to find sometimes, the grass is too long. A paddock full of grass like that – any grazier is happy to see it.”

Fittler said the milestone reflected more than a decade of work, including monitoring, grazing trials and weed control.

“The certification process involved rigorous monitoring and maintenance activities, demonstrating the critical role of land stewardship in ensuring successful rehabilitation outcomes,” he said.

“It showcases the power of collaboration and long-term commitment to responsible land management.

“Cattle grazing trials provided clear evidence of the land’s productivity, reinforcing the viability for future agricultural use to the regulator.

“This Dawson MINE certification is just the beginning. We’re continuing to seek opportunities to reinforce our commitment to sustainable mining and positive environmental outcomes on the lands where we operate.

“We want to demonstrate mining and sustainable land use can go hand in hand – leaving a positive legacy for future generations in our communities.”