Abbot Point expansion approved
Published by Jonathan Rowland,
Editor
World Coal,
Australian Environment Mining Greg Hunt has approved dredging work at Abbot Point – a key part of Adani Mining’s proposed Carmichael Project in Queensland Australia. The dredging work will allow the expansion of the port, taking its capacity from 50 million t to 120 million t.
“Adani welcomes today’s announcement by Minister Hunt of the approval to expand the port at Abbot Point, subject to strict conditions,” Adani said in a statement. “The expansion of Abbot Point, the lifeblood of Bowen, is key to Adani’s plans to deliver 10 000 direct and indirect jobs and AUS$ 22 billion in taxes and royalties to Queensland.”
Adani’s planning Carmichael mine will produce 60 million tpy of thermal coal for export through Abbot Point to India at its peak. The mine is 388 km from the port and will be linked by a new railroad.
The IEA recently said that Indian coal demand would be one of the few bright spots for the global coal industry over then next five years with the country set to become the world’s largest coal importer. Coal use in southeast Asia is also expected to grow dramatically, boosting demand for Australian coal exports.
“This is the third time a well managed, strictly regulated, science and evidence-based expansion approval has been the subject of a state and federal government approval process since 2010,” continued Adani. “The approval given by Minister Hunt to the Queensland Government mirrors the approvals given to Adani’s mine at Carmichael and North Galilee Basin Rail projects, in that they reflect the strictest, world’s best practice environmental safeguards.”
The announcement was welcomed by Queensland Resources Council CEO Michael Roche, who called it “another important step in the creation of thousands of jobs”.
Roche also highlighted the environmental restrictions placed on the project to ensure protection of the Great Barrier Reef, noting that the conditions for approval align with the Reef2050 plan – the federal government’s framework for protecting the iconic site.
Edited by Jonathan Rowland.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/handling/23122015/abbot-point-expansion-approved-3339/
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