Vale SA, the world's largest iron ore miner, on Thursday announced it is suspending the operations of its Carborough Downs coal mine in Australia in compliance to a government directive after irregular levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the mine.

The Queensland State Inspectorate for Mines, in a May 29 directive to Vale SA, likewise ordered for the immediate evacuation of all employees working in the mine.

This was the second that a mine of Vale SA was forced to temporarily close down due to mine accidents and/or health concerns. Also in May, the world's second-largest producer of nickel suspended operations at its Goro Project on the French Pacific island of New Caledonia due to an accident at the sulphuric acid plant at the mine.

Vale SA estimated about 7,700 tonnes of coal has been lost since Tuesday this week. The coal produced by the Carborough Downs mine is mainly used for metallurgical operations. Vale SA said all affected consumers have been aptly and properly informed of the unfortunate and ill-timed closure.

The Carborough Downs mine in Australia, in the first quarter of the year, had produced 325,000 tonnes of coal, Vale SA said.

The Brazilian miner is closely working with the Queensland State Inspectorate for Mines for the immediate resumption of the mine's operations.