Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a new coal mine near Moranbah, in the Bowen Basin, has been approved by the Queensland Coordinator-General Colin Jensen.
BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) Coal Operations plans to produce 4 million tonnes per annum of high-quality coking coal at the Daunia mine over 21 years.
Infrastructure and Planning Minister Stirling Hinchliffe welcomed the release of Mr Jensen’s evaluation report, which concludes the mine’s environmental impacts can be managed with conditions.
“This project is expected to create about 450 construction jobs, while the operational workforce is expected to peak at about 300 employees,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Construction is expected to begin in early 2010 and operations are expected to start in 2011 with initial capital expenditure expected to be around $625 million.
“This mine is being developed on existing mining leases, so existing environmental requirements will be strengthened.
“The Coordinator-General has provided a comprehensive set of conditions including issues such as dust and water releases, groundwater monitoring, noise and vibration, spoil disposal, rehabilitation, community liaison, road upgrades and the provision of about 20 hectares of offset for vegetation to be cleared at the mine site."
The Daunia project will share some services with the adjacent BHP Mitsui Poitrel Mine, including site offices, workshops, storage areas, communications and car parking.
Up to 90 per cent of the construction workforce is expected to be accommodated at an existing accommodation Village at Coppabella, 20 kilometres from the Daunia Mine.
The remaining 10 per cent will be employed directly by BMA and will be housed in local townships, most likely Moranbah.
Up to 70 per cent of the operational workforce will be housed at Coppabella.
Mr Hinchliffe said the Daunia project was the first component of the Bowen Basin Coal Growth (BBCG) project.
“The other two mine components are Caval Ridge Mine, a new open-cut mine and associated infrastructure to produce up to 5.5 Mtpa of coal; and Goonyella-Riverside Mine, an expansion of the existing open-cut and underground mining operations to produce up to 9.5 Mtpa of coal,” he said.
“The fourth component is the planned construction of a new airport to replace the existing Moranbah airport facility, to accommodate increased travel to and from the area and to provide a wider range of transport options for the larger workforce associated with the BBCG project’s expanded operations.”
Mr Jensen said he had made recommendations to BMA to continue a Community Reference Group for the duration of the project to support on-going and active engagement with community members about the project.
He will require a Social Impact Management Plan from the company when it reports to him on the Caval Ridge and subsequent Bowen Basin Coal Growth projects, in accordance with the intent of the Sustainable Resource Communities policy.
BMA made application in June 2008 for assessment of the Daunia Mine, as part of its Bowen Basin Coal Growth Project that is seeking approvals of three mining projects in the region.
For more information on the project and to read the Coordinator-General’s report in full, please visit www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects. |
