Closed ports and railways have halted all Queensland coal shipments as heavy downpours from ex-tropical cyclone Debbie threaten to flood some mines.
The storm is now moving over the state's southeast, and parts of the Bowen Basin coalfields are subject to flood warnings after heavy rain in the past 48 hours.
Mine-affected water is being released at BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance's Daunia mine and its Goonyella River and Broadsmeadow mine, Xstrata Coal's Oaky Creek Mine and QCoal's Sonoma mine, according to Queensland's Deparment of Environment and Heritage Protection website.
Queensland Resource Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane says the majority of mines have halted operations to keep workers safe.
"The mines will also be implementing all their flood management measures to ensure they are ready for operations to recommence as soon as possible," he told AAP.
Swiss mining giant Glencore is in the process of firing up its Collinsville and Newlands mines, BHP Billiton is assessing the possibility of resuming activity at some mines, and QCoal hopes to restart operations at its mines in the coming days.
"But given the significantly high level of local employment at the operation, many of our employees are currently focused on managing the impacts of the cyclone on their own homes in Collinsville and the surrounds," a QCoal spokesperson told AAP.
Peabody Energy is monitoring its sites, but said flooded roads and railways had forced it to declare a force majeure - seeking temporary exemption from terms of contracts due to unforeseeable circumstances - on their coal shipments.
Rail freight operator Aurizon said all four of its coal railways at Newlands, Goonyella, Blackwater and Moura in central Queensland remain closed.
The company will try to inspect its Newlands and Goonyella lines by air later on Thursday.
"This will provide an initial assessment of any damage or flooding on the rail corridor and allow Aurizon to plan any recovery work that is required," a spokesperson said.
"Aurizon will only send on-ground staff to inspect its network once it is safe to do so."
The region's four coal export terminals at Gladstone, Abbot Point, Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay remain closed.
A Transport and Main Roads Department spokesperson said initial inspections at Abbot Point revealed "clearance issues" in the port's departure channel that could take some days to resolve.
Hydrographic surveys are still being carried out at Hay Point and Darlymple Bay, but some vessels have been able to anchor at Hay Point.
