According to infrastructure company ATEC, state approval for the Wandoan coal project in southern inland Queensland is good news for its plans to build a new rail line.

The Queensland government has conditionally approved the Southern Hemisphere's largest open cut coal mine.

Mr Everald Compton ATEC spokesman said the development of project at Wandoan is crucial to plans to build a rail line linking Toowoomba to the Port of Gladstone. He said that "Xstrata Coal will be the major customer on the line and the fact they've reached this milestone is a good thing."

He added that "There are four other mines that surround the Xstrata mine which are seeking similar approvals."

(Sourced from www.abc.net.au)