PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government has approved the A$6.4-billion development of Waratah Coal’s proposed China First coal mine and infrastructure development.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jeff Seeney noted that the approval of the environmental-impact statement (EIS) was subject to a number of strict conditions.

The approved components of the Galilee coal project involve the development of a new coal mine and associated infrastructure located near Alpha, in the Galilee basin, and a rail line between the mine and the Abbot Point State Development Area.

The project is proposed to consist of a combination of opencut and underground mining.

It is projected to produce 40-million tonnes a year of thermal coal for export over an expected life of about 30 years.

Brisbane-based Waratah Coal, owned by mining personality Clive Palmer, said that the mine would be linked to a new coal terminal at Abbot Point, near Bowen, by a new 453 km standard gauge, heavy haul railway line.

Palmer said establishing the mine and associated infrastructure will create 6 000 jobs during construction and 2 460 jobs during operation in a massive boost to the state and national economies.

Waratah Coal MD Nui Harris said the EIS approval was an important milestone for the China First project and the state of Queensland.

“The EIS process has involved consultation with a significant number of stakeholders, including elected representatives, federal and state government agencies, local councils, indigenous representatives, the private sector, public organisations and local residents,” Harris said.

A commonwealth EIS would now be lodged for review with the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Subject to the Commonwealth review, it is anticipated a final EIS would be lodged with the commonwealth for approval in late October.

Earlier this year, the China First project had its major project facilitation status renewed by the federal government until December 2016, and had also been declared a “significant project” by the Queensland government.