Consultation opens on major mine proposal
24 September 2018
Queensland Government:
Central
Queensland residents are invited to have their say on Queensland’s
latest coal
mine proposal - the $1 billion
Olive Downs mine near
Moranbah – with the release of the draft
Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for public comment.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and
Planning, Cameron Dick, said the proposed project would create an
average of 500
jobs a year during construction and be an economic driver
for local communities.
“Pembroke Olive Downs Pty Ltd proposes to develop an open cut
metallurgical coal mine in the Bowen Basin,” Mr Dick said.
“When the open cut mine is up and running, it could maintain an average
of 1000 operational jobs and produce up to 15 million tonnes of coal per
year.
“Importantly, Pembroke Resources will encourage workers to live in local
towns like Moranbah, Nebo, Dysart and Middlemount and provide the
necessary accommodation for them there, which is exactly what our
government’s Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act is all
about.
“Metallurgical or coking coal is used to make steel, a critical
component of many aspects of the modern economy used widely in the
automotive, construction and manufacturing sectors and in everyday items
like motor vehicles, toasters, fridges and
bridges.
“The resources sector is fundamental to jobs and business opportunities,
particularly in our regional communities, and rigorous but also timely
environmental assessment processes are important to keeping this vital
industry sustainable.”
Fully developed, the complex 40 kilometres south east of Moranbah will
be one of the largest metallurgical coal mines in the world.
The project proposal includes:
-
coal handling and crushing facilities at the mine’s Olive Downs South and Willunga precincts
-
a rail link to transport coal to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal
-
a water pipeline and power transmission line.
Mr Dick said the
Coordinator-General’s environmental assessment process provides an
integrated and rigorous assessment of major projects.
“As the name suggests, all feedback and comments from agencies and the
public are coordinated and considered in one overall assessment of the
project’s impacts and benefits,” he said.
“The Palaszczuk Government is intent on creating more jobs in the
regions, but also at the forefront of our mind is protecting the
environment.
“The independent Coordinator-General has reviewed the draft EIS and has
determined that it is satisfactory to release for comment.
“The public are now invited to make a submission on the draft EIS.”
Isaac region Mayor Anne Baker said the mineral resources were helping to
support local communities in her region.
“The Isaac region is responsible for producing more than half of the
State’s saleable coal and we are currently experiencing a resurgence in
the sector, with strong demand for our world-class coal,” Cr Barker
said.
“The coking coal to be produced from the Olive Downs Complex will be a
crucial component in global steel production in the decades to come. Our
region is feeding, powering and building communities.
“Isaac Regional Council continues to be supportive of responsible mining
developments which deliver positive benefits for our local communities
and residents.”
The proposed mine would be midway between Moranbah and Dysart and
includes an 18 kilometre rail spur to the Norwich Park Branch railway, a
water pipeline connecting to the existing Eungella Pipeline, an
electricity transmission line and access roads. The project was declared
a coordinated project in February 2017.
The draft EIS is available online and in local libraries for public
comment until 10 October 2018.
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Catherine Palmer 0424 823 424
External Links: N/A
Recent news by: Queensland Government