The Queensland Government Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) has given TerraCom Limited – under its wholly owned and operated subsidiary, Orion Mining Pty Ltd – a formal indicative approval for the mining lease transfer of the Blair Athol coal mine near Clermont.
With this approval from DNRM, TerraCom is now preparing to re-open the Blair Athol coal mine in less than six weeks. The re-opening of the mine will create up to 600 jobs – 150 direct and 450 indirect jobs – in Central Queensland.
The company is also planning to relocate its corporate office to Clermont, utilising the facilities included when TerraCom acquired the mine.
According to TerraCom Executive Chairman Cameron McRae, the restoration of the 50-hectare site will commence at the same time as the beginning of mining operations.
“Our Australian team is well prepared to quickly mobilize and commence rehabilitation and mining activities – Blair Athol is an icon asset, and we will operate it accordingly,” Mr McRae said.
The approval given to TerraCom is subject to various conditions, including:
- Arrangements for access to a coal handling and preparation plant for crushing and washing
- Guaranteed rail loading of coal and transportation to market
- A secure water supply
The Blair Athol coal mine is expected to produce 2Mtpa of coking coal over a seven-year period.
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Source: Australian Mining, TerraCom Limited and The Courier Mail