Adani’s Carmichael coal mine reaches significant milestone

Adani has successfully concluded the final landholder compensation agreement relating to the company’s planned Carmichael coal mine.

The AUS$21.7 billion Carmichael coal project lies at the heart of the company’s investments in Australia.

This agreement allows for the inclusion of land within the surface area of the mining lease.

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Anthony Lynham, told Parliament that mine proponent Adani now had 16 permits and approvals at local, state and federal level, including six primary approvals.

The port element of the mine, rail and port project, the expansion of the Abbot Point coal port near Bowen, also had progressed, Dr Lynham told the House.

Welcoming the news, Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche said: "This is yet another milestone as these important projects continue to progress. And as the QRC has regularly stated, these important economic opportunities benefit all Queenslanders, not just those in the regions."

Austmine Chief Executive Officer Christine Gibbs Stewart added: "It's vital for the mining, equipment and technology services sector to see projects like Carmichael and its related infrastructure come to fruition – our members are the cornerstone of many communities throughout Queensland, and for that reason we're pleased to see that the mine is now one step closer, so that the benefits of this important project can be realised."

“These latest approvals demonstrate how the Palaszczuk Government continues to work behind the scenes to properly progress these Galilee Basin mine projects,” Lynham said.

“My department has advised that it is awaiting confirmation from Adani that the agreement can now be filed in accordance with the Mineral Resources Act.Once that occurs, I will be able to consider the application for the mining leases in the same way as for any other project.”

“The other milestone the mine, rail and port project has achieved is the last key state-based approval for dredging for the Abbot Point expansion. The next step for Abbot Point is for Adani to finalise approvals for the rail in-loading facilities, onshore stockpile yards and offshore wharves and this is now underway,” he continued.

Dr Lynham said the progress had been achieved while meeting the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

“I reiterate our election commitment here again today: there will be no dredging at Abbot Point until Adani demonstrates financial closure,” he concluded. “Queensland taxpayers will not fund this infrastructure.”

Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/16032016/carmichael-coal-mine-reaches-significant-milestone-400/