PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland Coordinator-General has approved the construction of a new rail load-out facility to support the A$131-million expansion of coal miner Cockatoo’s Baralaba project.
The ASX-listed miner recently completed the first phase of the Baralaba expansion project, which saw coal production increase to one-million tonnes a year at its Baralaba North operation.
The company was now pushing to increase production to 3.5-million tonnes a year, and had submitted its environmental-impact statement to Queensland authorities.
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said on Friday that the Coordinator-General’s decision paved the way for a major growth in coal output.
“The first part of the mine expansion will enable Cockatoo Coal to expand coal production from 700 000 t a year to one-million tonnes. This will climb to 3.5-million tonnes per annum by 2015,” Seeney said.
“We promised to grow the resource pillar of our economy and we are delivering on that promise, creating more jobs for regional families.”
The new train load-out facility will be located 3 km east of Moura on the southern side of the Dawson Highway, adjacent to the existing main rail line, and would be built in compliance with conditions to protect the environment and nearby land-holders.
More than 200 new jobs would be created.
“Mining has been an integral part of Baralaba since the early 1900s and Cockatoo Coal’s expansion will help to deliver jobs and prosperity to the region for decades to come,” Seeney said.