PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Federal Industry and Science Minister Ian Macfarlane has welcomed the completion of the Boggabri coal mine expansion, saying it would deliver up to A$360-million in employment and business activity to the regional economy.
The expansion project, which included additional infrastructure at the mine and the addition of a rail spur line, raised production from five-million to seven-million tonnes a year and extended the mine life to 2033.
“Mines like Boggabri are the lifeblood of many regional communities and underline the importance of the resources sector to our national economy,” Macfarlane said.
“The Boggabri mine has been supporting the communities of Boggabri, Narrabri and Gunnedah since 2006. This expansion of the mine, which produces both thermal and metallurgical coal, will allow the mine to operate beyond 2030, continuing to create jobs and support the local businesses that service it.”
Japanese company Idemitsu Australia Resources had spent 18 months building new infrastructure to expand the mine’s production rate. The product would continue to be railed to the Port of Newcastle for export, with the addition of the new rail spur line eliminating the need for haulage trucks.
Macfarlane said coal would continue to be an important part of the energy mix for years to come, both domestically and throughout the region.
“Coal is our second-largest export earner and there’s a growing demand within the Asia-Pacific region.
“Japan has long been one of Australia’s leading export markets for coal and we welcome Idemitsu’s continuing investment in developing these resources.”