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PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland state government has approved the mining lease for the $16.5-billion Carmichael coal and rail project.
Minister for State Development and Natural Resources Dr Anthony Lynham over the weekend approved the grant of three individual mining leases to India’s Adani.
“This is a major step forward for this project after extensive government and community scrutiny,” said Premier Annastascia Palaszczuk.
“Some approvals are still required before construction can start, and ultimately committing to the project will be a decision for Adani. However, I know the people of north and central Queensland will welcome this latest progress for the potential jobs and economic development it brings closer for their communities.”
The proposed Carmichael project would comprise an opencut and underground mine, running for a period of 90 years and producing an average 60-million tonnes a year of thermal coal.
The three leases making up the project are estimated to contain 11-billion tonnes of thermal coal and Adani has estimated the mine, rail and port project will generate more than 5 000 jobs at the peak of construction and more than 4 500 jobs at the peak of operations.
Palaszczuk said that the project would continue to be subject to stringent conditions aimed at protecting the environment, land-holders, traditional owner interest and the Great Barrier Reef.
Lynham added that the approvals process for the Carmichael mine had included public objections in 2014, Land Court hearings in 2015, and a Land Court recommendation in December 2015 that the mining leases be granted.
“Many voices have been heard, and a lot of evidence considered. The mine’s environmental authority had about 140 conditions to protect local flora and fauna, groundwater and surface water resources, as well as controls on dust and noise.
“A further 99 stringent and wide-ranging conditions apply to the rail and port elements of the project.”
Lynham added that there would be no dredging at Abbot Point until Adani demonstrated financial closure and noted that Queensland taxpayers would not fund infrastructure for the project.
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) welcomed the approval of the first mining leases for the Carmichael project, with acting CEO Greg Lane saying it opened the door for thousands of jobs across regional Queensland.
“The news couldn’t come at a better time as nearly 22 000 jobs have been lost from the resources sector in Queensland over the past two years.”
He added that the mining lease approval was long overdue, given that the project first entered the Queensland project approval system some 65 months ago.