Reuters reported that Mr Colin Jensen coordinator general of the Queensland has approved the Environmental Impact Statement for the new Duania coal mine near Moranbah in the Bowen Basin.
BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance Coal Operations plans to produce 4 million tonnes per annum of high quality coking coal at the Daunia mine over 21 years. Mr Stirling Hinchliffe Infrastructure and Planning Minister of Western Australia welcomed the release of Jensen’s evaluation report, which concludes the mine’s environmental impacts can be managed with conditions. Mr Hinchliffe said that the project is expected to create about 450 construction jobs, while the operational workforce is expected to peak at about 300 employees.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2010 and operations are expected to start in 2011 with initial capital expenditure expected to be around USD 625 million. The Daunia project will share some services with the adjacent BHP Mitsui Poitrel Mine including site offices, workshops, storage areas, communications and car parking.
Hinchliffe said that the Daunia project was the first component of the Bowen Basin Coal Growth project. The other 2 mine components are Caval Ridge Mine, a new open cut mine and associated infrastructure to produce up to 5.5 million tones per annum of coal and Goonyella Riverside Mine an expansion of the existing open cut and underground mining operations to produce up to 9.5 million tonne per annum of coal.
He said that the fourth component is the planned construction of a new airport to replace the existing Moranbah airport facility, to accommodate increased travel to and from the area and to provide a wider range of transport options for the larger workforce associated with the BBCG project’s expanded operations.
