Thousands of residents in two made-for-mining towns in central Queensland are facing an uncertain future after the sale of four major coal mines.
In an $5.7 billion deal, Anglo American this week sold all its Australian coal mines including four in the Bowen Basin south-west of Mackay.
At Moranbah and Middlemount the 10,000 strong population depend on mine owners for housing, a shopping centre, childcare, a medical centre and drinking water.
Ownership of these assets will transfer to global miner Peabody Energy, which already owns four mines in the region, in the sale which is expected to be finalised in late 2025.
Part of the deal's value is contingent on the re-opening of the Grosvenor Coal Mine near Moranbah. (ABC News: Jemima Burt)
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said the sale was more than a business transaction.
"This isn't just workers changing their shirts," councillor Vea Vea said.
"This is a huge multinational company coming into community and taking over from someone who has inherited a lot of long-term community commitments."
Cr Vea Vea said residents were nervous about what could happen next.
"We've seen business deals go bad in places like Glenden, and they became collateral damage of a business transaction gone wrong between QCoal and Glencore.
"There's no doubt that on the ground, people have watched this scenario play out and they wonder what's in front for us.
"The expectation is that Peabody will not leave Moranbah and Middlemount worse off with their ownership."
Peabody Energy President and CEO Jim Grech said the company "appreciates the shared values of Anglo American across safety, sustainability, productivity and social licence matters".
"We look forward to welcoming the experienced employees related to these assets to the Peabody team," Mr Grech said.
Mine sales always unnerving
Former mayor Anne Baker, who spent 20 years in local government, says mining sales are always unnerving.
"The communities exist fundamentally because of the coal mines. I don't think anyone can say it doesn't raise some concern.
Former Isaac Mayor Anne Baker says these kinds of transactions are always a time of uncertainty. (ABC News: Jess Davis)
"It's the unknown. It's like a lot of things. If you don't know what's going to happen, it creates a lot of anxiety," she said.
Mrs Baker said residents wanted more details on the transition of community commitments to the new owners Peabody.
"The council has asked those questions and I'm confident it will do the best that it can, but at the end of the day we're dealing with a multinational company and they seem to have the power," she said.
A spokesperson for Anglo American said it would honour all lease and tenant arrangements in place until ownership of the assets transferred to Peabody.
The sale is expected to be finalised by the third quarter in 2025.
Final price linked to Grosvenor re-opening
Aerial footage shows two plumes of smoke coming an underground fire at the Grosvenor Coal Mine fire near Moranbah in Central Queensland earlier this year.
In a statement, Anglo American said the final sale price of the deal was contingent on the Grosvenor mine about 5km from Moranbah returning to production
It has remained sealed since a major underground fire in June.
Anglo American's spokesperson said Peabody had advised it intended to restart long-wall operations at Grosvenor.
"We are very encouraged by the progress we are making and we are working hard to facilitate a re-entry and recommence operations during 2025," the spokesperson said.
Local real estate agent Marie Dowie. (ABC Tropical North: Liam O'Connell)
Marie Dowie, owner of Infinity Property Specialists in Moranbah, said reopening Grosvenor would benefit the community.
"It'll mean that people will be moving back to town to take jobs back at that mine.
"They'll be filling a lot of positions, and therefore the housing market, the supply and demand will get tight again."
Matthew Huggert was at Moranbah State High School's P&C meeting when news of the sale came through on Monday night.
He has lived in the town for 18 years and says Anglo American has been part of every major community event and big projects, such as upgrading the town pool.
Long time Moranbah resident Matthew Huggert. (ABC Tropical North: Liam O'Connell)
"They are a very large contributor, the provide a lot of staff who live in Moranbah with their families and children go to school and become part of the community," Mr Huggert said.
"People who don't live in small mining downs don't realise the money outside of the money they pay in wages and tax that adds to the livability of regional towns," he said.
Mr Huggert said Peabody Energy was known to the community through its mine operations.
Joanne Child, from Coffee on the Mall in Moranbah, said a new mine owner could mean changes for the workforce and the town.
"I don't believe a company name makes a difference, but I suppose it's rosters that make a change and that has a knock-on effect.
Barista Joanne Child says the mining companies exert a lot of control over the life of purpose-built mining towns like Moranbah. (ABC Tropical North: Liam O'Connell)
"If you change a roster, that's almost an immediate effect, that will change how people behave, where they live.
"I think across all mining, all people like the idea of seven-on-seven-off, more so the younger generation because you can live on the coast and work here.
"But for the older generation, they fought for different conditions back in the day, they wanted their families to live with them in a small community."