Name and Location
Watermark coal project, New South Wales, Australia.

Client
Shenhua Watermark Coal.

Project Description
The project proposes to extract 268-million of run-of-mine coal to produce about 159-million tonnes of product coal over 30 years. The product coal comprises 133-million tonnes of semisoft metallurgical coking coal with a low ash content, and 26-million tonnes of thermal coal with a high ash content.

Coal will be extracted from three openpits – the Eastern, Southern and Western mining areas – using truck-and-shovel methods, with cast blasting.

A range of infrastructure will be built to support the mine, including a coal handling preparation plant. Coal will be transported to the Port of Newcastle for export using a new rail loop, rail spur and associated infrastructure. The production rate will be up to ten-million tonnes a year.

The mine site will be progressively rehabilitated. Further, to address bio-diversity and heritage impacts, biodiversity offset and conservation areas will be established and maintained.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
$1.5-billion.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has conditionally approved the Watermark coal project.
Eighteen conditions, including that a biodiversity plan must be presented and approved by the Minister before the start of construction, along with a water management plan and a rehabilitation plan, have been included in the approval.

Shenhua has also been ordered to undertake continuous auditing and monitoring of its environmental impacts.
Opposition to the proposed coal mine has been quick to emerge, with the Australian Greens party condemning the project approval, saying that the federal government is placing overseas mining interests ahead of farmers’ interests.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Shenhua Watermark Coal, tel +61 2 6741 8800, fax +61 2 6741 8817 or email reception@shenhuawatermark.com.