Mining has been temporarily suspended at BHP Billiton’s central Queensland coal operations, with minimal personnel on site for security and essential systems monitoring, while Stanmore Coal anticipates production from its Isaac Plains coal mine will be impacted for the rest of the week as a result of Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation is busy inspecting its port assets after Debbie hit the Queensland coast on Tuesday and confirmed the Port of Mackay Southern Breakwater suffered damage and remained closed.

BHP said it was continually monitoring the situation and its decision to safely resume operations would be assessed once the weather eased.

It said impacts to production would be reported in its next quarterly update.

Stanmore warned material damage to key mine assets or those assets of Isaac Plain’s critical suppliers, including rail, port, water and power could disrupt production schedules for weeks to come.

“The mine’s stock position will assist in mitigating potential impacts from delays,” it said.

“Isaac Plains Coal Mine was placed into a protective phase well prior to the rain event, with all mining operations ceased and key assets secured away from mining areas and potential water courses.

“The mine’s port provider has issued a force majeure notice as part of their preparations to protect key assets and infrastructure.”

Stanmore said TC Debbie delivered significant wind and rain conditions and that was expected to continue for a number of days, impacting large areas of the Bowen Basin.

“The safety of our people and those associated with our mine remain our highest priority and operations will only recommence when conditions permit,” it said.

Glencore, which was expected to be the worst-affected miner, said its assets had withstood the impacts of Debbie with no infrastructure damage or injuries to personnel.

"Production remains suspended at our Collinsville and Newlands coal mines and we are undertaking water management activities in accordance with our approvals," Glencore said.

"Both mines plan to return to production over the next 48 hours and we do not envisage any impact on our annual production forecasts."

Operations at Oaky Creek, Clermont and Rolleston coal mines, the Mount Isa copper and zinc operations and the Ernest Henry copper complex continue as normal, while operations at the Townsville copper refinery restarted yesterday. 

Evolution Mining's Mt Carlton operation has resumed operations after the cyclone passed to the south of the mine.

While there was no damage, the company said access to site was expected to remain restricted briefly.

Evolution has deployed a team from Townsville, led by mine rescue personnel, to assist and executive chairman Jake Klein said the company's thoughts were with the people of Queensland.

Resolute Mining has restarted its Ravenswood gold mine and said there would be no material impact on production.

The company said it had made a donation to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund to assist with the clean-up.

NQBP CEO Steve Lewis said the ports of Mackay, Hay Point and Abbot Point were closed until further notice.

“The slow-moving system will no doubt have had some impact on our assets, but it has not been possible to safely carry out any inspections given the persistent extreme weather conditions in the region,” he said.

Lewis said NQBP was working closely with port partners and emergency services to secure the port and begin planning for the resumption of safe port operations.

Aurizon’s Goonyella and Newlands systems remain closed and Aurizon’s rollingstock in those systems had been stowed in preparation for the cyclone.

The company will inspect these systems for any damage once it is safe to do so.

Abbot Point Coal Terminal near Bowen, and the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and Hay Point Coal Terminal, south of Mackay remain closed.

Aurizon’s Moura network has been closed due to localised flooding and the company is working closely with supply chain partners – mines, ports and rail operators – on any potential flood threat to the Blackwater system.

“We will continue to monitor network availability as the weather event progresses south-west,” a spokeswoman said.

Aurizon’s operations from Mackay to Pring remain suspended as a result of the cyclone.

“The safety of employees remains Aurizon’s highest priority during the assessment of its network and facilities following the cyclone,” the spokeswoman said.