Hundreds of jobs secured with approval of Ensham Coal Mine extension

The future of more than 700 workers in Central Queensland has been secured as the State Government approves the extension of the Ensham Coal Mine.

The $314.9 million project will allow the mine to extend its operational life for another nine years, tapping into a potential additional 88 million tonnes of coal and ensuring future supply to both domestic and global markets.

Approval of the mine extension is just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy while backing Queensland’s mining communities. Since its election, the current government has supported over 3,000 mining jobs across the State.

“This is what certainty looks like under the Crisafulli Government. More than 700 jobs in Central Queensland have been secured because we worked with Ensham’s proponent Thungela to ensure their mine extension delivers for Queensland.

“We’re doing what we said we would – restoring confidence, delivering certainty and getting Queensland to open for business.

“Queensland’s world-class coal industry has a strong future, with more than 400 coal-fired power stations under construction around the world and global coal demand nearly doubling since 2000,” Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said.

The Ensham Coal Mine was approved by the Federal Government in 2023 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), with the project’s State approval following the development of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Management Plan.

The Ensham operations is an underground bord and pillar coal mine located about 35 kilometres east of Emerald and 50 kilometres north-west of Blackwater.

“This is great news for our region, particularly the workers at Ensham, their families, and the many local businesses that support the mine and benefit from it.

“When you secure more than 700 jobs in a regional community, that means school fees are paid, apprentices are taken on, and small businesses are backed in.

“Our region has always carried its weight when it comes to powering Queensland’s economy, and this approval shows that under the Crisafulli Government, our contribution is both respected and backed in,” Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said.

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Industry Queensland; Mining.com.au; Thungela