Bowen Coke Works supplies metallurgical coke to one of the world’s largest producers of lead, Xstrata Copper’s Mount Isa Mines. Located in Norris Street, Bowen Coke is owned and operated by Xstrata Copper.

Bowen Coke has a permanent work force of 15 employees. Coking coal from Collinsville is transported to Bowen by rail for processing in the 54 ovens at the site. The coal is crushed to a fine texture and up to a maximum of 16 tonnes is loaded into each oven.

The heat inside the ovens ignites the coal and a controlled burning process lasting between three and four days removes the volatiles to leave carbonised coal, better known as coke. The red hot coke is then pushed out of the ovens onto a receiving car before being quenched under water sprays. It is then crushed and screened to various sizes.

Bowen Coke produces up to 45,000 tonnes of coke each year. It is transported by rail to Mount Isa for use in the lead smelting process. Each year about 9,000 tonnes of smaller coke is trucked to other purchasers.

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Bowen Coke Works supplies metallurgical coke to one of the world’s largest producers of lead, Xstrata Copper’s Mount Isa Mines. Located in Norris Street, Bowen Coke is owned and operated by Xstrata Copper.

Bowen Coke has a permanent work force of 15 employees. Coking coal from Collinsville is transported to Bowen by rail for processing in the 54 ovens at the site. The coal is crushed to a fine texture and up to a maximum of 16 tonnes is loaded into each oven.

The heat inside the ovens ignites the coal and a controlled burning process lasting between three and four days removes the volatiles to leave carbonised coal, better known as coke. The red hot coke is then pushed out of the ovens onto a receiving car before being quenched under water sprays. It is then crushed and screened to various sizes.

Bowen Coke produces up to 45,000 tonnes of coke each year. It is transported by rail to Mount Isa for use in the lead smelting process. Each year about 9,000 tonnes of smaller coke is trucked to other purchasers.

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