BHP ponders coalmine sale as dollar and prices take their toll BHP Billiton has slated its high-cost Gregory-Crinum coking coal mining operation near Emerald in central Queensland for possible sale as part of its renewed focus on cost-cutting in response to lower commodity prices and the strong dollar. Fresh from confirming that job cuts were planned at the Olympic Dam copper-uranium-gold mine in South Australia, BHP yesterday told the 300 workers at Gregory-Crinum that it was considering the potential divestment of the operation.