Most central Queensland mines and railways are at a standstill as driving rain from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie threatens to halt coal production for some time.
The enormous storm is forecast to dump up to 250 millimetres of rain over much of the coal-rich Bowen Basin on Wednesday, with significantly higher rainfall totals possible, with a high risk of flash flooding.
Glencore, BHP Billiton, AngloAmerican, Peabody Energy, Wesfarmers Resources, QCoal, Stanmore Coal, Evolution Mining and Resolute Mining have completely or partially shutdown many of their coal and gold mines in the area.
The Queensland Resources Council, the state's peak mining body, says it is too early to say what the impact will be on production.
"It is likely the Bowen Basin will still see three to five days of torrential rain and it is not until that rain has fallen and the resulting flood patterns are known that any operational impacts will be apparent," a spokesperson told AAP.
"It is far too early to forecast the economic impacts upon industry as our people work to protect their homes and families from the immediate danger of Cyclone Debbie."
Freight and coal train operator Aurizon has been unable to assess whether its closed Goonyella and Newlands lines have been damaged, and its Moura line has been closed due to flooding.
The company said coal trains continue to run on its Blackwater line, but it is monitoring the situation for potential flooding.
Aurizon isn't running trains to the Hay Point, Dalrymple Bay or Abbot Point coal ports, all of which remain closed.
A Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said a Navy survey vessel was surveying the Abbot Point terminal for any damage on Wednesday afternoon.
Maritime Safety Queensland is also bringing some ships into the anchorage, but a spokesman said the wind and sea conditions were challenging.
Analysts at ANZ said coking coal prices edged higher overnight due to concerns about output disruptions from Queensland, which provides 60 per cent of global exports.
"While several coal producers have shut their operations due to safety concerns, the real impact will be if infrastructure is damaged due by the cyclone," the analysts said in a note.
"Heavy rainfall could also impact mining, although only closures extending over a week are likely to boost prices."
