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GALILEE COAL PROJECT
Northern Export Facility
Overview -
Waratah Coal intends to establish a new coal mine, railway and coal stockyards along with supporting infrastructure to export high volatile, low sulphur, thermal coal to international markets.
The processed coal will be sourced from Waratah Coal’s mining tenements near Alpha in the Galilee Basin, Central Queensland and transported 490km by rail to the Abbot Point State Development Area (APSDA).
The project also involves the construction of a stockyard facility, linked to a new coal terminal incorporated as part of the Multi Cargo Facility (MCF) to be sited at the proposed expansion of the Port of Abbot Point.
In addition the project also involves the possible establishment of a water supply pipeline between the coal mine and the Burdekin Dam and a water retention infrastructure within the Belyando River catchment.
The project’s estimated total development cost is AU$7.5 Billion.
Project Benefits -
The mine will generate considerable export income for the Australian economy. Federal and State Government revenues will also be increased through taxes and royalties.
The project provides much needed new rail and port infrastructure in Central Queensland to ease existing congestion and facilitate expanded coal export to the growing world market.
Additional employment is created with up to 6,000 employees during construction and 1,500 permanent employees for the long term operation of the project. The project will generate additional expenditure in the regional economy as local suppliers, service providers and contractors participate in the project.
The project will assist in progression of the general regional development in the areas of both the Northern Economic Triangle and Central Queensland.
Galilee Coal Project -
Thermal coal is used to generate almost 40% of the world’s electricity. Global demand for thermal coal is expected to grow more than 3% per annum over the next 10 to 15 years. Future world demand is driven by developing Asian and Indian markets and the international market is seeking Australian coal as a secure energy supply that is produced in a stable economic and political environment.
Galilee Basin Coal is high quality and also has ideal characteristics for use as a fuel for low emission technologies including Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power stations.
The Waratah Coal Galilee Basin tenements contain an inferred thermal coal resource of in excess of 4.9 billion tonnes. The proposed open cut mine is planned to have an initial annual export capacity of 40 million tonnes.
The mine will proceed through a staged development process that targets first coal production in late 2013. The coal will be processed at an on-site facility north of the town of Alpha, 160km to the west of Emerald.
Processed coal will be transported by a new 490 km rail system from the Galilee Basin to a planned export port facility at the Abbot Point State Development Area (APSDA).
The project incorporates a state-of-the-art, heavy haul, standard gauge rail system to support 21,000 tonne train units. The system will be equipped with dual gauge rail from the Bowen Basin mining area to the port to accommodate third party users from the Bowen Basin region.
New port capacity will be developed at Abbot Point to facilitate coal export to the growing world market. It will reduce the congestion at existing port infrastructure which has hindered the coal industry and limited Australia’s export earnings.
Environmental Approval Process -
The Galilee Coal Project has been declared a “Significant Project” by the Queensland Government and requires completion of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the project approval process.
Waratah Coal will progress and prepare an EIS. This will involve extensive stakeholder consultation and scientific study to ensure the project is economically, socially and environmentally sound.
The Draft Terms of Reference that have been prepared by the Queensland Government to guide the content of the EIS studies will be made available for public comment.
Waratah Coal is committed to community engagement throughout the project’s development and will introduce a comprehensive schedule of stakeholder consultation to actively pursue input and feedback from key interest groups. This will include:
- Meetings with key stakeholder and community groups;Community information sessions;
- Regular information updates through newsletters and the project website and
- Feedback from stakeholders via phone, email and post.
Project Responsibility -
Waratah Coal is responsible for the planning, construction and operation of the Galilee Coal Project.
Waratah Coal is managed by an Australian team with the company’s headquarters located in Brisbane.
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