10mtpa coal volume added with Qld mine approval

<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> Queensland’s independent coordinator general has approved QCoal’s $1.76bn Byerwen Coal project, 140 km west of Mackay, which will export up to 10mtpa, via Queensland’s rail network to the port of Abbot Point. </span> <p>The coordinator general has attached 122 conditions to his approval, covering the construction, operation, decommissioning and mine closure phases.</p><p>In addition, proponent Byerwen Coal – a joint venture between the privately-owned QCoal and Japan’s JFE Steel – has itself made 447 commitments to responsibly manage the impacts of the project.</p><p>The project consists of an open-cut coal mine with the potential to supply up to 10m tonnes of hard coking and thermal coal per annum primarily to Asian steel mills and has an expected life of 50 years.</p><p>It is expected to create up to 350 construction jobs for two years and up to 545 jobs when the mine is fully operational.</p><p>The Byerwen approval comes just after Abbot Point Coal Terminal lessee Adani warned it may scrap port expansion plans if contentious dredging cannot be started next year.</p><p>The Indian group already has approval for its $16bn Carmichael thermal coal mine in the Galilee Basin and wants to begin exports through an enlarged Abbot Point in 2017, at a rate of 60 mtpa.</p><p>The existing terminal is capable of shipping 50 mtpa.</p><p>However, following the rejection of its preferred spoil dumping ground North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation has yet to find a suitable replacement site and faces increasing opposition from various interests protesting any dredging on or near the Great Barrier Reef.</p><p>Adani claims the delays could cost it $1bn per year in lost export income.</p><p>The coordinator general’s report on Byerwen will now go to the Federal environment minister for a decision under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.</p><p><em><strong>This story was originally published in Rail Express sister publication, Lloyd’s List Australia.</strong></em></p>