Name of the Project
Colton coal project.

Location
The project is located in the Fraser Coast Regional Council area, in southern Queensland, Australia.

Client
New Hope Corporation.

Project Description
The project proposes to develop a five-million-tonne inferred resource of coking coal within the Burrum Coal Measures in the Maryborough basin.

About 850 000 t/y of run-of-mine coal will be mined to produce 500 000 t/y of high-grade coking coal, which will be transported 270 km by rail to Wiggins Island coal export terminal at Gladstone. The project will involve opencut mining using truck-and-excavator methods.

Topsoil stripped prior to mining will be stockpiled for later use in rehabilitation.

Overburden will be relocated from above the coal seams to in-pit dumps, and in out-of-pit spoil dumps located on site and contiguous with the pit excavations.

A coal handling and preparation plant and associated mine infrastructure, including workshops, offices, train loading facilities, a rail balloon loop and waste storage areas, will be required for the project.

Processing will involve crushing, screening and washing to separate coal from waste materials. Waste rejects will be dewatered, with water recycled to the processing plant and solids disposed of in specially constructed storage areas and spoil dumps.

Jobs to Be Created
The project is expected to create up to 120 direct full-time construction jobs and up to 120 ongoing production jobs for the Fraser Coast region.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
$300-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The Queensland government approved three mining licences for the Colton coal project last month.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
New Hope Corporation, tel +61 7 3418 0558 or email media@newhopegroup.com.au.