Name of the Project
Mt Rawdon pumped hydro (MRPH) project.

Location
Queensland, Australia.

Project Owner/s
Evolution Mining and Ironstone Capital Australia Partners.

Project Description
The proposed project involves the creation of a pumped hydro electricity generation plant through the repurposing of the Mt Rawdon mine, which is due to cease mining in the 2024 financial year.

The mine’s unique combination of an existing deep openpit, surrounded by steep hills with known geotechnical conditions, which is only 22 km from Queensland’s major transmission lines, makes for an ideal pumped hydro project.

The project includes:
• a purpose-built upper water reservoir, which is built on land adjacent to the existing gold mine and capable of storing water required to generate 20 000 MWh of renewable energy;
• a lower water reservoir created by repurposing the Mt Rawdon mine openpit once mining of the pit is complete;
• waterway tunnels and pumpstations connecting the upper and lower reservoirs;
• an underground powerhouse that will generate reliable electricity of between 500 MW/h for 40 h and 2000 MW/h for 10 h; and
• an overhead transmission line connecting the project to the national electricity grid.

Potential Job Creation
The proposed project is expected to create between 300 to 500 jobs during construction, and between 25 and 30 long-term jobs during operations.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is planned to be commissioned in 2028.

Latest Developments
The Queensland Coordinator-General designated the MRPH project a coordinated project in October 2022.

The designation is intended to streamline interactions with key state government departments and agencies.

The feasibility study for the project is on track for completion by mid-2023.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
MRPH, tel +61 2 9133 9000 or email info@mtrawdonhydro.com.au.