PERTH (miningweekly.com) –The Queensland government has invoked special power to progress the A$21.7-billion Carmichael coal and rail project being developed by Indian major Adani.

The combined mine, rail and associated water infrastructure have all been declared “critical” infrastructure, the first time this has happened in seven years, with State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham saying over the weekend that the project’s special “prescribed project” status had also been renewed and expanded to include its water infrastructure.

Lynham said his decision would mean less red tape for the proposed project and the jobs and business opportunities it offered.

“This step bundles together major elements of the project for the first time – the mine, the 389 km rail line, and the water infrastructure, including a pipeline, pumping stations and a dam upgrade,” he said.

“It makes it more efficient to establish easements for infrastructure like the water pipeline and the rail, and expands the Coordinator-General’s power to ensure timely approvals.”

Lynham said the declaration was based on advice from the independent Coordinator-General, who continued to meet regularly with Adani to progress the project.

The proposed Carmichael project will comprise an opencut and underground mine, running for a period of 90 years and producing an average 60-million tonnes a year of thermal coal.

The Carmichael coal, railway and port project includes building Australia’s largest thermal coal mine, linked by a new 388 km standard gauge rail line to a new terminal at Abbot Point port near Bowen. It received approval from Minister Lynham in April this year, despite unresolved legal challenges and the prospect of further court appeals.

“Adani has now obtained all the necessary primary approvals for its mine, rail and port project, and most importantly, I have granted the mining leases.

“At a state level, the only key approvals remaining are water licences and Adani is actively working on those with my Department of Natural Resources and Mines,” Lynham said.