New hope for New Acland Mine Stage 3

New Hope has crossed a hurdle in its bid to secure the go-ahead for the New Acland Mine Stage 3. Earlier today the Land Court of Queensland recommended that the mining leases and the environmental authority amendment application be granted, subject to conditions. It was an excellent result for New Hope Group, employees, their families and the mine’s supporters in the Darling Downs community said New Acland Mine General Manager Dave O’Dwyer. “There are still a number of steps required to obtain final project approval for Stage 3,” Mr O’Dwyer said. “We will continue to work closely with the relevant Queensland Government departments to achieve these approvals, which would enable a restart of operations and employment opportunities for hundreds of local workers at the New Acland Mine, as well economic opportunities for the region more broadly.” The High Court had referred an appeal by the Oakey Coal Action Alliance against the expansion back to Queensland’s Land Court. Related: Court orders fresh hearings over coal mine expansion Mining at New Acland wound up last month after a drawn-out legal battle to access further coal through the Stage 3 development. It was a sad day for Oakey and the wider Darling Downs to see one of the largest employers in the region cease mining operations due to a lack of Queensland Government approvals, Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise chief executive officer Ali Davenport said at the time. “New Hope Group has operated the New Acland Mine since 2002 and used to employ hundreds of staff,” she said. “The majority of those staff lived and worked in the region, had families at the local schools and shopped locally. New Acland was a great supporter of local community groups and sporting teams and invested millions into the social fabric of Oakey. “Now, New Acland mine is reduced to less than 20 operational staff and the local economy has suffered.” The High Court in February ordered fresh hearings into the planned expansion of the Darling Downs mine, placing continued operations in limbo. The protracted approvals process and the ongoing uncertainty regarding Stage 3 had seen more than 280 valuable and highly skilled employees made redundant in the past three years, said New Hope Group chief executive officer Reinhold Schmidt. “Despite the challenges, the team at New Acland has continued to prioritise safety. I appreciate the leadership shown on site which has allowed every employee to return home safely to their family and loved ones,” Mr Schmidt said. “I would also like to thank the wider Darling Downs community for its steadfast support, particularly local community leaders, sporting groups and landholders who have been vocal and proud advocates of Stage 3 and the benefits it will bring to the region.”

New hope for New Acland Mine Stage 3

Industry Queensland

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