Photo by: Duane Daws
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed TerraCom has unveiled plans for a 60 MW solar power station on rehabilitated land at the Blair Athol coal mine, in Queensland.
The company said on Wednesday that the potential construction of the solar power station would increase the economic value of the property, and would allow the mine to become an important part of Queensland achieving its renewable energy targets.
The station will be facilitated once mining and rehabilitation work at Blair Athol restarts.
“TerraCom is keen to play a role in helping the government deliver on its renewable energy targets. Blair Athol is well placed to achieve this due to its close proximity to the electricity grid,” said TerraCom chairperson Cameron McRae.
TerraCom recently completed an agreement with mining major Rio Tinto under which its subsidiary acquired the mine for $1. Under the agreement, TerraCom, a subsidiary of Orion Mining, will receive A$80-million from the mining giant to meet rehabilitation costs at the site.
McRae said that the company was awaiting government approvals for the Blair Athol lease to be transferred from the current owners, and that as soon as permission was granted, TerraCom would move to start rehabilitation and mining operations.
“The introduction of a solar power station constructed on rehabilitated mine land will provide a long-term future for Blair Athol as a solar hub, which will mean Blair Athol will be again helping to power Queensland’s growth,” said McRae.