Name of the Project
Wandoan coal project.

Location
Queensland, Australia.

Client
Glencore Coal Queensland (75%) and partners ICRA Wandoan (12.5%) and Sumisho Coal Australia (12.5%).

Project Description
The Wandoan coal mining lease application area covers about 32 000 ha.

The proposed thermal coal mine will comprise ten opencut mining areas with 16 pits and a coal handling and preparation plant; mine support infrastructure, including office buildings, workshops, washdown facilities, fuel and oil storage facilities; a workforce accommodation village; and a rail spur and train-loading facilities.

With an expected life of more than 30 years, the mine will produce thermal coal that will be exported or sold to the domestic market. It is expected that about 30-million run-of-mine tons of coal a year will be mined.

Value
A value has not been provided, although Glencore states that it will be a “multi-billion-dollar investment”.

Duration
Mine construction will take two to three years, with a start date yet to be determined.

Latest Developments
The Queensland government has granted Glencore a mining lease for the project – ten years after it first applied. The company submitted its application in 2007 and received the project’s environmental impact statement in 2010, followed by commonwealth environmental approval in 2011. The project was placed on hold in 2013, owing to weak market conditions at the time.

The miner has indicated that it will continue to assess the project’s timing against the global coal market. “Glencore is taking a responsible approach and will bring on new large-scale production volumes only if we are confident that market conditions support such a development. Adding significant new tonnes to the market at this time could adversely impact the profitability of existing thermal coal production, potentially putting jobs at risk as the market adjusts downwards as a result of oversupply,” the company has stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Glencore media enquiries, Francis De Rosa, tel + 61 417 074 751 or email francis.de.rosa@glencore.com