Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science has approved the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Management Plan (GDEMP) for Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine and, with the final environmental approval granted, construction is ready to ramp up in the coming weeks.
“Moving forward, our priority is ensuring the safety of everyone who works on the project and that all construction activity meets the strict environmental requirements we have agreed to meet in our management plans and approvals.
“Over the coming days preparatory activities such as finalising contracts, mobilising equipment, recruitment and completing inductions will continue. These preparatory actions will enable us to then start construction activities including fencing, bridge and road upgrades, water management and civil earthworks on the mine site. The level of construction activity will then steadily increase over the coming weeks,” Adani Mining CEO Lucas Dow said.
The Carmichael Coal Mine is going to be built in the North Galilee Basin, approximately 160 kilometres north-west of Clermont.
In November 2018, Adani announced that it will be fully funding the development of the mine and that the size of the project has been scaled down. The development of the mine initially had a price tag of $16.5 billion, but has been reduced to just $2 billion.
The reduced project size will now comprise of smaller open-cut mine that will produce 10Mtpa during the first stage and up to 27.5Mtpa over a 10-year ramp up. The development will also include a 200-kilometre rail line that will be used to transport coal from the Galilee Basin to Abbot Point Port near Bowen.
Adani released to market Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for various jobs at the mine in December of last year.
“The project will deliver 1,500 direct and 6,750 indirect jobs during ramp up and construction, with Rockhampton and Townsville the primary hubs for employment. The Whitsunday, Isaac, Central Highlands, Mackay, Charters Towers and Gladstone regions will also benefit from work packages and employment opportunities,” Mr Dow added.
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Source: Adani Australia; Australian Mining; Renew Economy; Queensland Department of Environment and Science; ABC News