Name of the Project
Carmichael coal mine project.

Location
The project is located about 160 km north-west of Clermont, in Queensland, Australia.

Project Owner/s
Adani Mining, a wholly owned subsidiary of India’s Adani Group.

Project Description
The Carmichael project is a thermal coal mine and rail project, which will transport coal from the Galilee basin to countries in Asia, including India, Vietnam and China.

Although the project has the approvals to produce up to 60-million tonnes of coal a year, the mine will initially produce ten-million tonnes a year and ramp up to 27.5-million tonnes of coal a year in the first stage.

The reduced plan requires only a 200 km rail spur connecting to Aurizon Holdings’ rail line, rather than a whole new 388 km competing line, and no port expansion.

Potential Job Creation
The project will deliver more than 1 500 direct jobs for the mine and rail projects during the initial ramp-up and construction phase, and will support thousands more indirect jobs, all of which will benefit regional Queensland communities.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The entire project is expected to cost A$16.5-billion.

Planned Start /End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has instructed the coordinator-general to set a timetable for the resolution of two outstanding approvals for Indian major Adani’s proposed Carmichael coal mine.

“The community is sick of it, I’m sick of it, everyone is sick of the delays. Everyone has had more than enough time to resolve these issues and for some reason that has not occurred. That all ends now.”

The coordinator-general has been instructed to take a stronger oversight role across the approvals process for the Carmichael mine, report back to the Premier to establish a clear plan for timeframes to which the company and the regulator can adhere, and ensure that neither Adani nor the government departments are responsible for unnecessary delays in the approvals process.

The Premier has said that the coordinator-general’s role is not to interfere in the independence of the approvals process, but to ensure that all parties know where they stand and adhere to their responsibilities.

“I’ve asked the coordinator-general to convene a meeting between Adani and the independent regulator [on Thursday, May 23] and to report back to me by Friday [May 24] with a timeframe which I will release to the public,” the Premier has said.

“What this does is to hold Adani and the independent regulator to account and to give everyone clarity around who needs to do what and by when.”

Adani Mining CEO Lucas Dow has said that he will seek a timeline of two weeks for the approval of the two outstanding management plans.

“Any timeframe for a decision on these outstanding management plans longer than the next two weeks is nothing more than another delaying tactic by the Queensland government designed to delay thousands of jobs for regional Queenslanders.

“The Queensland government has been reviewing these management plans for over two years now. We have been put through the highest level of scrutiny on these plans, and has overcome every hurdle along the way . . . these plans have been approved at federal level already.

 “It’s time for the Queensland government to stop the political games. Stop shifting the goal posts . . . It is time to get the Carmichael project done.”

The Queensland Resources Council has called on the state government to ensure that the deadline brings an end to the delays and uncertainty for the Carmichael project, with CEO Ian Macfarlane noting that resource projects need certainty about approvals and royalties to ensure that they continue to create regional jobs.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Downer Mining (construction and operation of the mine); Austrak (concrete sleepers); Arrium Mining and Materials (railway tracks) and GA Services (refurbishment of camp accommodation).

On Budget and on Time?
The project has been delayed for years, as opposition from environmental groups has led banks to steer clear of funding what will be the biggest coal mine in the country.

Contact Details for Project Information
Adani Mining, tel + 61 7 3223 4800, fax + 61 7 3223 4850 or email Reception.Australia@adani.in.