PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland Department of Environment and Science has given environmental approval for the proposed A$1-billion Olive Downs coal mine.

The state government gave approval for the project in May this year, saying that it would create 1 000 operational jobs and a further 500 during construction.

The Stage 1 project is expected to require a capital spend of A$450-million and will produce 4.5-million tonnes a year of steelmaking coal, which will be exported through the Darymple Bay coal terminal.

At full production, the mine could produce up to 15-million tonnes a year of metallurgical coal, with a mine life of nearly 80 years.

Project owner Pembroke Resources chairperson and CEO Barry Tudor this week said that the grant of the environmental approval represented the most important milestone for the project so far, and provided a clear pathway towards the start of construction, and first coal.

“The approval is a strong indication of confidence in the project and an acknowledgement of Pembroke’s adherence to the highest of standards throughout the approvals process.”

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the ongoing progress on development of the Olive Downs coking coal mine, with CEO Ian Macfarlane saying a clear timetable and a set of milestones for development are important for all resources projects, given the size of each investment and the time needed for planning.

Macfarlane said Olive Downs would be one of the largest opencut coking coal mines in the world and, more importantly, a significant contributor to royalty payments, which build the vital infrastructure which benefits all Queenslanders.

“This is more good news for Queensland’s coal industry. It’s high-quality coal, close to ports and highlights the wealth of opportunities Queensland can generate from the largest exporting coking coal basin in the world, the Bowen basin.

“The Isaac region is a heartland for our resources sector, creating so much of the wealth that benefits our state. This project will be another valuable addition to Queensland’s world-leading resources sector.”