Name and Location
Alpha coal project, Queensland, Australia.

Client
The Alpha project is 79% owned by Indian conglomerate GVK and 21% owned by Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting.

Project Description
The project involves the construction of an opencut coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee basin, which is capable of producing 30-million tonnes of thermal coal a year for the export market for a 30-year period, as well as a 495 km railway line from the mine to the Port of Abbot Point, near Bowen.

The mine plan comprises six separate opencut pits, with a total strike length of 24 km in a north–south direction.

Ancillary infrastructure at the mine will include an above-ground tailings storage facility, environmental water and raw-water dams, water supply and treatment infrastructure, quarry pits, access roads, workshops, fuel and oil storage, communications and power infrastructure, as well as offices and accommodation facilities.

Value
A$6.4-billion.

Duration
Hancock Coal expects the construction period to occur between 2013 and 2016, subject to the relevant approvals being granted for the project.

Latest Developments
The Alpha project is likely to face further delays, owing to court proceedings initiated by environmental groups that want the mining approval, granted in August 2012, revoked.

Six parties have taken the miner to court, objecting to the project’s effects on climate change, water and ecology. Led by the Coast and Country Association Queensland and supported by Queensland's Environmental Defenders' Office, the group also includes three families from the Alpha area.

Hancock says the mine has already passed rigorous federal and state approvals.

The hearing was expected to last for three weeks, with a decision expected before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, promoters of the project are securing funding for the project.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
WorleyParsons and Ausenco (programme management services), Aurizon Holdings (rail development), Thiess (preferred mine operations contractor).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
GVK Resources, tel +61 7 3003 5500, fax +61 7 3229 4788 or email mail@gvkresources.com.
Ausenco, tel +61 7 3169 7000 or fax +61 7 3169 7001.
WorleyParsons, tel +61 2 8923 6866 or fax +61 2 8923 6877.
Thiess media enquiries, Alex Smith, tel +61 7 3002 9673 or email media@thiess.com.au.