State approval for $1b Moranbah coal mine

Queensland’s Coordinator-General has approved the proposed $1 billion Olive Downs metallurgical coal mine, 40km south-east of Moranbah. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement in Parliament today. “The mine is expected to create 1000 operational jobs and 500 jobs during construction,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “The project will contribute an estimated $8 billion to the local economy and more than $10 billion to the Queensland economy." Pembroke Resources chairman and chief executive officer Barry Tudor welcomed the approval, noting that it was a significant development for the project that reflected close co-operation with the Queensland Co-ordinator General. “This world class project will have a production life of almost 80 years.’’ Mr Tudor said. Pembroke Resources chairman and CEO Barry Tudor. “There is no viable alternative to coking coal in the primary steel production process for the foreseeable future and Olive Downs will be a major supplier to the world’s leading steel producers and as such, will be a valuable contributor to the Queensland and Australian economy for generations.” There would be no fly-in, fly-out rosters at the mine, he said. “Our focus is on workers living locally, including in the local economies of Moranbah, Nebo and Dysart and hiring locally from the surrounding towns of Central Queensland. The first stage of the project will require capital expenditure of $450 million and will produce 4.5 million tonnes per annum of steelmaking coal. The Olive Downs project will ultimately produce up to 15 million tonnes of metallurgical coal per year for export via the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal near Mackay. Member for Mackay and Assistant Minister for State Development Julieanne Gilbert said this was the first project that had completed a social impact assessment under the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act as part of the environmental impact statement. Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert. “It is also the first time that the Coordinator General has decided to include the construction phase as being captured by the SSRC Act, further adding to local benefits,” she said. “The SSRC Act requires the proponent Pembroke Resources to encourage workers to live in local towns like Moranbah, Nebo, Dysart and Middlemount and reduce the reliance on fly-in, fly-out workers. Pembroke has committed to recruiting locals and people from other regions who might like to move to local towns. “There will also be significant opportunities for local and regional suppliers, contractors, service providers and businesses.” Subject to Commonwealth Government approval, Pembroke Resources expects to commence construction in 2020. CIMIC Group companies Sedgman and CPB Contractors were last year awarded a $184 million contract for design, procurement, construction and commissioning of the site's Coal Handling and Preparation Plant. https://www.i-q.net.au/main/coal-royalties-surge-to-bring-state-budget-bonanza

State approval for $1b Moranbah coal mine

Industry Queensland

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