PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Queensland’s Coordinator-General has approved the A$16.5-billion Carmichael coal mine and rail project, which India’s Adani Mining is developing in the Galilee basin.

Deputy Premier and State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney said that should the project proceed, it would play a vital role in opening up the resource-rich Galilee basin.

“This project has the potential to be the largest coal mine in Australia and one of the largest in the world,” Seeney said.

The project entails the development of an opencut and underground mine, which is forecast to produce about 60-million tonnes a year of thermal coal. The project will create up to 2 500 construction jobs and employ some 3 900 staff when operational.

Carmichael is expected to generate over A$500-million a year in direct and indirect benefits to the Queensland economy during its construction period, and about A$3-billion at full capacity.

Seeney said the Coordinator-General had set stringent and wide-ranging conditions to protect land-holders, local flora, groundwater resources, surface water and air quality, as well as controls on dust and noise.

“The 600-page Coordinator-General’s report sets 190 conditions for proponent Adani to meet during the construction and operational phase of the project,” he added.

Adani said on Friday that the state government approval of the Carmichael project was a significant step towards opening the Galilee basin and providing extensive economic benefits to the surrounding community.

“We welcome the decision of the Queensland government and this allows us to move to the next stage of the project, ensuring that local and regional communities continue to be involved in the development of our projects and share the economic benefits,” Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani said.

“We remain committed to delivering the multibillion-dollar project, with world class standards, which will directly employ thousands of people during construction and over the operational period.”

The Queensland Coordinator-General’s report now goes to the Commonwealth Environment Minister for a decision on issues pertaining to the federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act under the assessment bilateral agreement.