An open-cut coal mine with a 495 kilometre railway line to Queensland’s Abbot Point Port has been approved.
May 29, 2012
A 30-million-tonne per year open-cut coal mine with a 495 kilometre railway line to Queensland’s
Abbot Point Port has been approved.
Queensland Coordinator-General Barry Broe released his report on the $6.4 billion Alpha Coal Project’s environmental impact statement (EIS) today.
The report recommended the
Queensland Galilee Basin project be approved subject to 128 conditions.
Approval conditions for the $3 billion rail line include third party auditing requirements, and environmental management plans.
Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney today welcomed Broe’s approval.
“Australia can expect an $80 billion dollar rise in exports over the life of the mine,” Seeney says.
But Seeney says despite Broe’s assessment, the project is still subject to a number of assessments, including the Federal Minister for Environment’s.
“The Coordinator-General has thoroughly assessed Hancock Coal’s Environmental Impact Statement and associated materials, including 60 public submissions, and its Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS),” Seeney says.
Subject to relevant approvals being granted, the project is expected to be finished between 2013 and 2016.
The rail component of the project is proposed to export 60 mtpa of thermal coal over its 30 year life and expected to be capable of expansion to accommodate additional users.
The line will also include
eight passing loops, maintenance signaling, a marshalling yard, and a balloon loop at the mine and port.