How Modern Coal Mining Works with Bravus Mining & Resources

Coal mining is a thing of the past? Think again. Thanks to incredible access provided by Bravus Mining and Resources, we take you behind the scenes of the Carmichael Mine, one of Australia’s newest mining operations.
The Carmichael Mine is one of 100 coal mines in Australia, producing around 10 million tons of coal annually.
Consistent power is necessary to help lift millions out of poverty, and coal is a crucial ingredient. Bravus helps meet the world’s growing energy demand with high-quality coal, displacing lower-quality coal mined in detrimental ways.
The mine operates 24/7, with crews often flying directly to the site and staying within the local camp due to its remote location.
They move the overburden and coal with trucks and shovels. We saw their enormous Liebherr 9800s (some of the biggest hydraulic excavators in the world) load Caterpillar haul trucks on day and night shifts. I even got a ride!
Once they reach the coal seams, they mine and haul it out of the mine and to the processing plant, where it’s cleaned, sized, and loaded onto rail cars for shipping.
As they mine, there’s a well-designed plan for reclamation, which calls for restoring all land to its original state.
To learn more about Bravus and the Carmichael mine, check out their website at www.bravusmining.com.au/

[@slimeslime2123]

It’s cool to see you documenting Australian mining as it isn’t documented much it’s almost like a hidden world unless you work in it

[@AaronWitt]

yeah we worked for a long time to make this trip happen

[@jackrobertson7888]

@@AaronWittI could only imagine the amount of paperwork to get onsite

[@Excavator_bulldozer_TV]

Nice video

[@richardhaselwood9478]

Thanks for finally coming out to Aus Aaron. I've been working in the Australian coal industry (as a geologist) since about 2002, mostly Bowen Basin, so, about 150km east of Bravus. Never worked in the Galillee Basin though. I'm hoping you enjoyed the paperwork you had to fill out to get on site :)

[@AaronWitt]

it actually wasn't bad!! Bravus made it easy!

[@superdupergrover9857]

To expand on what Aaron was saying about coal, it's easy to say coal is bad when your children and yourself are being clothed, fed, housed and educated no matter what power source your electricity comes from. Cheap energy makes all that much less expensive and actually possible when you have so little money to go around. Getting the poor access to cheap energy gives them the economic ability to care about the environment.

[@VerraNewsNetwork]

but couldnt we give these developing nations our energy generated in AUS from off-shore wind or solar?? instead of selling them coal? sell them the power directly

[@AaronWitt]

bingo. We're saying no more coal after building our entire societies with it

[@Bennie32831]

​@@VerraNewsNetwork they don't want intermittent power either 😂😂😂

[@tristenklein5940]

@@VerraNewsNetworkwind and solar are more dangerous and damaging to the environment along with more expensive to produce operate and maintain than fossil fuels which are all natural byproducts of the formation of the earth’s crust. Wind and solar is also unreliable and not recyclable ontop of only having a 20 year lifespan and neither can be disposed of in a landfill because of the nickel, cadmium, lithium and fiberglass used in the manufactured components.

[@kiwisrule6757]

A bit misleading coal is a tremendous pollutant and needs to be phased out as soon as possible, we all know this

[@marvincapala5758]

The Aussie term for that type of digging is double bench

[@lorenzomartin1019]

Fun fact: Coal is one of the rarest materials in the universe and will never form again in large amounts due to the conditions required to create it.

[@HanTheProphet]

this can't be proven and is highly unlikely. there needs to have been life on a planet for there to be fossil fuels, it doesn't have to have intelligent life on it now, like we do on earth. the rarest elements are surely the whole slew of them that are radioactive, ie are unstable and decaying.

[@aaronmorber1943]

Libtard

[@ISureDont]

Once you realize this you see how much of a waste our entire worldwide industry is. Every bit of plastic floating in the ocean came from oil. All of it literally wasted. And we keep going, even faster if anything

[@johandjerf9054]

@@ISureDont The profits tho. That's literally it, it's just greed

[@rbfishcs123]

how could this be true if the earth is only 200 years old?

[@BJMStan]

Fantastic work Aaron & team from someone who worked FIFO mining in Australia, Mongolia, Laos, Kazakstan and India for over 25 years. The big girls are a different planet and your team does a great job at showing it how it is and without spin (you were very lucky to be there seafood night, big feed of prawns and oysters is not everyday). I trust that my old mate Cookie looked after you.

[@AaronWitt]

bay bugs!!!

[@BJMStan]

@@AaronWitt there would have been oysters, you just got there too late. Moreton Bay bugs if you are from Queensland. Balmain Bugs if you are from the state of New South Wales. It doesn’t matter where the fish were caught but you must pick a side. #Blues or #Maroons

[@MrBigfella1234]

Eating seafood no where near the ocean is a no from me

[@harared831]

A little ironic that the coal is exported to Asia where many of the EV cars are build and exported to Europe. Germany has banned coal and now they have big problems to get enough energy. Other contries are forced to export green energy like hydro and wind energy thru agreements made by the EU. The consequense is that electricity prize is sky rocketing because of the larger demands for clean energy.

[@Porty1119]

Consequently, coal, uranium, and copper prices will continue to climb. So-called clean energy is bunk, but it's a boon for the mining industry.

[@_Juke_]

Germany stopped nuclear and is opening more coal mines

[@nickhutt6264]

Don't worry in Australia we have more than our fair share of imbecile politicians, we're sitting on all this good coal that we are exporting meanwhile they are shutting down our coal fired power stations and replacing them with wind mills and solar panels.

[@grahamfrench9874]

Spectacular vision. Nice to see some balanced reporting on the role of mining and the importance of coal to people on struggle street in SE Asia.

[@chrisszollos1543]

What have loved to have seen more of the rail side of it as well Aaron, the great majority of people never get to see whats involved and how much there is in the rail side of things. Its also still a crucial part of mining to got the product from the mine site to the port for export.

[@RipVDub]

Just told the wife that I'll be back in two months - I'm going to Australia! Appreciate the content.

[@79noel]

That is what you call a true mass excavation operator! Smooth and highly productive.

[@user-gt6zb1yi5u]

Productive ? Look how many trucks waiting 👀

[@noelinator]

​@user-gt6zb1yi5u clearly that was right after shift change over. Once up and running you can see the back log is gone and the operation is running smoothly. Good try though.

[@user-gt6zb1yi5u]

@@noelinator your opinion pinhead 🥴

[@376LS3VY]

​@user-gt6zb1yi5u you don't think before you start typing do you ? 🤣 , the only way it gets trucked up like that , is if there is hold up at the dump , floor clean up , filling blow hole , shift change , issue at start with digger , could be anything , it doesn't get trucked up like that in general , I should know , I work there and under that digger at times

[@sgtsn1per]

kept hitting the soft stops

[@redimix08]

How much over burden is on top of that and how thick is the coal seam there?

[@enriquefernandezco.4188]

Hi Aaron, thanks! I remember that this project bough a lot of trucks CAT 795F in last 2017, bu here in your video not saw neither and maybe all these changed to CAT 796. What happen with that greater fleet of CAT 795F´s?

[@skiqsr]

Thanks to the Mining Company

[@dylanpohlner5673]

I work here in the wash plant and actually seen you guys filming this a few months ago. Had no idea who you were though 😂

[@blakemcleod95]

It would awesome if you had a look at drill and blast. It’s often an overlooked aspect of mining. However, a very important part. would love to see some D90’s and loading of shots.

[@AaronWitt]

yeah timing is everything on blasts

[@garykemp6436]

I'm amazed you hadn't seen double benching before it works for small civil excavators you see guys struggling to reach trucks sitting on top of the stockpile when you can walk forward loading the top out and then clean up on your way back and reaching the trucks with ease

[@DJ-yj1vg]

Great video. We hear a lot about the money it earns us in superannuation and governments talk about its tax revenue. Its great to see one in operation though and ive lived here in Australia all my life.!

[@alexsarr4516]

As usual nice shooting, remind me good memories of a past life :)

[@ChainsawFPV]

As a child, I always wanted to play with heavy equipment. As an adult, I want to play with them even more!

[@ericculver115]

When I was a child I played in my sand box with my Tonka toys. My father told me "son find something you enjoy doing no matter what it is. If you really enjoy doing it. Then you will get good at It and the money will follow." Well I turned Lincoln Logs into house . Then turned the sand box into doing dirt work. I am busy sometimes 100 hours a week. But I have been a very successful business. Then to top it off in 20 years I have never worked a day in my life. Make sure you never tell your kids they can't turn their dreams and passion into reality. As long as big government keeps its hand out of their pocket. The American government is the biggest cartel on the planet. Pablo Escobar was far less dangerous and far more trustworthy. The goverments best person is far worse of a person than Pablo was. I'm talking the ones in charge not the ones that think they are putting their life on the line to protect their children's freedoms. The Rothchilds and Rockefellers need removed from the planet. That would be the best start ever in the history of mankind.

[@bbl69420]

@@ericculver115You had me in the first half, not gonna lie.

[@nmopzzz]

It would have been interesting to see the coal cleaning process.

[@shaunybonny688]

I only worked at a remote mine with a camp for about 3 weeks, I was a contractor during a ZTE. Back then I thought it sucked, but these days, I can see the appeal. Red Dog mine, AK

[@blairjamesstuart978]

What loader did they have there

[@thegreatsihle]

How one can apply to work in Australia,i can operate a Cat 777 2 years of experience in the open cast mining *South African*

[@tonymidkiff2108]

I was wondering how deep a cut to get to the coal

[@ronnyarfiandi7495]

Aaron have looked into the kalimantan coal mine in Indonesia? Or looked into Sumatra coal mine at bukit asam?

[@JarradDRS]

That 9800 can match or outdig a 4100 rope shovel in the right conditions.

[@AaronWitt]

yeah it's amazing

[@JarradDRS]

@@AaronWitt I work at a large coal site in Australia, with two 4100 XPC and two 9800’s. and just last month, one of the 9800’s out-performed the 4100 XPC AC over a three month period. I think the fact that there’s less time lost with cable reroutes factors in, but very impressive regardless. Also, thanks for these videos on the Australian mining industry. It’s a nice to see support for our industry in such woke times.

[@borneolintasarea1040]

great video bro

[@lesflynn4455]

Good video as usual. I did a google search and found out the name of the mine and where it is, but it would have been useful if you included the name of the mine, and roughly where it is in Australia. It's a big country. It's like saying "This is a mine, with big equipment, and it's in America!"

[@carltonslaine7756]

excellent really enjoyed watching this big massive thankyou qnd be save you and your crew respect peace brother.

[@hypercomms2001]

Thank you for this, but I'm interested how they handle fires in the coal pit? I would imagine that would be the worst case scenario...

[@arilh3473]

at my place we do double front loading. to increase production, but with the condition of a standard loading area to remain safe.

[@basedaf5580]

holy crap dude. freaking amazing footage. that is my dream job

[@AaronAtkinsHonorableChairman]

the mining industry is fascinating, and the next century is going to depend on it! thanks for sharing!

[@vintage_hart6392]

What a badass job this is!! I'd take this any day then sitting 12 hours in an office.

[@rp1645]

YES it would be FUN for a couple of days. I own my own Backhoe it's an old girl 1978 Dynahoe 190 my past jobs have been digging LONG trenches 😊 it gets tiring and repetitive. I get tired with my old girl just turning the soul in my garden. My Dynahoe was a Bucyrus Erie made brand, so I pretend to be a big mining backhoe excavator in my garden 😊 it does get tiring after a time, doing the same swing and dump over and over. I think it's the same for the drivers of those huge off road dumps. The same haul road back and forth. You have to really enjoy the work to stay at it.

[@ISureDont]

It’s so monotonous and repetitive. Especially what they’re doing here

[@and__lam1152]

​@ISureDont That's why as operators we consume copious amounts of uppers and downers ... the whole industry thrives on em champ

[@thesicklemodernagriculture]

These giant machines bring good life to people

[@Chickenjoe_99]

Aaron have you looked into the Donkin coal mine in Cape Breton NS, Canada, supposed to be one of if not, the biggest sub-marine mine in the world

[@blairjamesstuart978]

you guys should come to lake Vermont in Dysart, Queensland to see the automative dozers and drills bro

[@jonathanlanglois2742]

6:30 I guess that in Québec, our notion of "remote" is different. We've built 100km long power lines to mines. Heck, the most of the dams that power our cities are a thousand kilometers north and some of theses lines continue another 500 kms into the state of New York to export electricity. Something that is "remote" quite literally has to be at the northern tip of the province, where the only way in and out is by plane or boat.

[@stralais99]

This is a relatively new mine out by itself, so they haven't got there with electricity yet

[@Anandthakur9811]

Hello everyone nice to meet you .I am from nepal.i am heavy equipment operator.i operator Jcb backhoe, Wheel loader, Excavator, Bubcat, ROAD ROLLER, Dumtruck 😊, Forklift etc bro

[@taylorschils1694]

Totally amazing!

[@jaysun932]

So how long till you go to the super pit to see mass gold production on another level ?

[@AaronWitt]

hoping to get out to WA next trip

[@jaysun932]

Ahhh might see you while I'm at work then hahaha

[@Timmy7299]

Is the USB thumbdrive that's plugged into the radio inside of the excavator because they are not allowed phones in the pit?

[@steveanderson4768]

Those excavators are just absolutely amazing 80 tons per scoop that one scoop could for regular over the road dump trucks

[@UncleManuel]

So these guys are rolling coal - literally. 😂😂😁😁😜😜

[@AaronWitt]

someone's gotta do it

[@brandonmullins5865]

Need to go to the Western Australia iron ore

[@AaronWitt]

next trip!

[@westie4ageturbo.749]

Im watching this video from my camp room at a coal mine in the bowen basin. Like why i just need to head to work and go work on this shit for real.

[@Dinoxt12]

Bailing with a Excavator 12hrs a day 7 days a week...not for me, I'll pass it on. Interesting video.

[@zonareview2057]

I hope I can also join there as an Auto Electrician

[@daletschigg]

Yo Aaron I work for Freeport McMoRan it would be so sick to see you do a vid here in Safford or morenci az!!

[@howardiknow1133]

9800s in top soil double benching...oh how I wish...mine digs in stuff that our drills have trouble putting holes in...😢

[@Ghost-oq4qj]

How do i get a job in Australia doing this if I live in cali?

[@cedricmonga8421]

any opportunity for hydraulic shavel operator?

[@Anandthakur9811]

I am you big fan brother I am heavy equipment operator bro

[@emmanueltapera1729]

Thank you Aaron well explained, coal we still need it no matter what.

[@fredpitts9382]

Great show more in cab very interesting

[@tnine3]

Insert some photos you're taking while machines are moving

[@AaronWitt]

noted

[@ronchappel4812]

14:14 why so many hydraulic hoses?! Is this perhaps the cheapest way to run giant cylinders? That is- run lots of off the shelf normal hoses instead of special big ones?

[@JT-zl8yp]

thanks to adani and australia for providing coal to the people in need

[@Tmjpwns]

Go to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen. Spectacular mining town. But go before the government shuts down Mine 7.

[@martymorse2]

Excellent job with your justification for coal. This looked like a great opportunity for you to see all those massive machines in action. Great content!!

[@ronniewilliz153]

Justification off coal lol one or the other is needed n coal is Way better then Eva n batteries

[@martymorse2]

@@ronniewilliz153 ??????

[@AaronWitt]

thanks for watching!!

[@kyleowens8599]

@@AaronWitt talk about the effect of coal ash pond I work in one everyday cleaning one out . Get In touch with saiia construction

[@ibrahimkouri]

Its à dream to operate such a monster

[@rockkitty100]

Great video on not only showing the equipment and technology, but explaining the role of coal. It is a vital resource that the US and Australia has an abundance of available. If not coal, what is the answer????

[@duran9664]

♥️ True 👏 👏 👏 Coal is actually cleaner than water✅it is in the Bible 🤏 #FuckEarth

[@Porty1119]

Nuclear is the only true alternative.

[@mattatkin3899]

Took the words out of my mouth!

[@supercancer273]

Hydrogen?

[@Porty1119]

@@supercancer273 Hydrogen is an energy storage method, not an energy source in itself.

[@thewoodthatcould8161]

4:35 Santa clauses bad a** brother uncle Rick

[@jon-deedeklerk8612]

When will you come to South africa. Would love to see what you think of the mines and equipment we have.

[@AaronWitt]

I hope to some day

[@guyneeser2029]

OMG, IS Right!!! What a Awesome Excavator! How $ much cost for

[@jamielee323]

Great vid Aaron keep it up👌

[@AaronWitt]

thanks for watching mate

[@jascollinscork]

Cracking video!! Australian mining is the most attractive kinda working life.... well paid AND a great working environment so it seems anyway!! Wonder how long it takes an operators to get driving the big stuff though ???

[@AaronWitt]

If I was living a different live I'd be giving a serious thought to working at a spot like this!!

[@Devourer221]

Trucks I'd easy but loading units is definitely harder

[@DubstepDestroys]

The shear size of those machines is just incredible

[@AaronWitt]

it's hard to believe

[@stewartbrown7783]

cool show..i am a liken this channel.

[@ajf9034]

You should come to the Pilbara region of Western Australia and see Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations that’ll blow your mind

[@nickhutt6264]

Lol , then he will get to see what paper work is!

[@peternewman958]

Aaron I’m retired and I live in QUEENSLAND I’m interested in how many Australian companies if any you actually work with thru your company. I’m sure many people who follow you have no idea what your company actually does, they probably think you just travel and visit these mining and earthmoving businesses around the world.

[@PaulTaka123]

Nice video really informative seeing those big machines at work is really jaw dropping, can you do one at RIO TINTOs autonomous mines. One thing though all other developed continents keep telling Africa to switch to other energy sources and ditch coal, yet the same developed continents still use and import coal, its baffling really.

[@AaronWitt]

funny enough we are doing a video with Rio Tinto in a few weeks

[@conantheagrarian]

what language are they speaking what country is this? Dutch-land, im thinking.

[@X-plane_]

you need to go to west australian iron ore mines.

[@IronGears.186]

Cracking video

[@Kimsunghim]

Nice video.. thank you bro

[@danielmarshall4587]

I've said this before, but it is good to see companies letting you on site.... to me it says they have their "shit squared away". Again smashing vid.

[@Sicktrickintuner]

A young Mike rowe from dirty jobs, now it’s construction jobs with Aaron Witt!

[@AaronWitt]

you're too kind

[@rindu289]

Kepingin sekali mengoperasikan excavator sebesar ini, pernah mengoperasikan excavator di malaysia tambang batu besi Hitachi 700pc. Bisakah saudara Bawa Saya ke perusahan ini?

[@jonasbrock3959]

Why do they run Liebherr excavators and Caterpillar haul trucks? Why not just one brand?

[@claytonnicholson830]

Because leighberr make better diggers and cat run reliable trucks with plenty availability in Australia with parts etc

[@KnowArt]

lots of propaganda on both sides. It's dirty, it's important. These facts should be able to coexist in a human mind

[@Duvstep910]

i wonder; do the controls on bigger machines feel a little sluggish cause of the size? Also; this is a job i would never get bored of.

[@ronniewilliz153]

Fuck no lol the bjgger the more responsive and you can also turn them down by ideling down if you cant turn the speed or sensitivity down, on most you can.

[@AaronWitt]

they said the controls on the Libeherrs are pretty responsive

[@stralais99]

The response on the hydraulics is proportionate to the size of the machine, there's a lot of weight there and you don't want it reacting to fast , the 996 has no slew brakes so you have to counter slew to stop it , can be scary until u get used to it .

[@DieselCrawler86]

For some reason no one talks about how high quality coal is used to produce plastics and polymer products.

[@nickk5731]

Mate need to be careful around those drop bears in beginning of your vid. They’ll take out that big croc behind the fence.

[@georgebumpus3346]

Best videos out there … Thanks

[@dozerblade]

I wish I was a young man again, I think I would give it a go in Australia.

[@-S-K-Miller]

Lebehir cab... on left, or right hand side of machine

[@AaronWitt]

9800 is on the left but 966 was on the right

[@Hotmix25-wo8dy]

Good

[@fruitninjasemipro]

And north american construction just bought Mackellar mining

[@376LS3VY]

If only you knew what it's really like there 🤣 Bravus sure do know how to hide crap under the carpets 😆😆

[@karsoncampbelllogginginc]

I need a 9800 and the dump truck size to LOL🤣

[@caramelelle2073]

I always wonder how mining is done nowadays. NOW I KNOW.

[@Battle357]

great 👍😃

[@xer0nin]

This is so badass

[@tristenklein225]

What type of and size of Mechanic Trucks do they use on site to repair the 796 mine trucks should they break down in the mine excavation area or on the haul roads? Are they specialized trucks or do they just load and tow the 796s back to the mine shop?

[@AaronWitt]

yeah they do but it's rare

[@Porty1119]

I'm a mechanic at a surface copper mine running 793s. Our field service trucks are pretty standard Super Duty chassis trucks with a service bed, crane, compressor, and welder. Where possible, trucks are repaired out in the field. Most issues are field-repairable (blown lines, starter failures, electrical problems, brake rotochambers) and the truck can be released without going to the shop. For more major problems, we get the truck to a state where it can be safely driven to the shop for further repair. If it absolutely cannot be driven, it's towed to the shop with a wrecker built off a 789 chassis.

[@tristenklein225]

@@Porty1119 Thanks for the info, I was curious if the service/mechanic trucks for mining machines were specialized specifically for the large equipment or the typical service truck as used in our earthmoving fleet ie. the two Kenworth T880s with a IMT Dominator IV Body with 14,000 lb cranes and Miller Pro 800 welders we currently run. I’d like to see the wrecker mounted on the 789 chassis, has to be the largest wrecker in existence lol. Thanks again for the info 👍👍

[@user-wx2fp9cm3i]

they call burning wood green energy in Denmark and EU

[@glennberry1012]

I could live with out the music insanity.

[@Battle357]

Any opportunities for mining supervisor?

[@pete5044]

The KZbin comments section is the wrong place to ask for a job. Especially a supervisors role lol

[@Battle357]

@@pete5044 any problem with supervisor role Pete?

[@JerrySmith-ek8rn]

interested