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 start by producing 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
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES) has launched a further review of the groundwater management plan for the Carmichael coal project.

The federal government approved the groundwater plan in April, based on an independent assessment from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Geosciences Australia, which confirmed that the project met strict scientific requirements.

However, Adani CEO Lucas Dow has said that advice provided by DES officials has suggested that the department intends to renege on its February commitments to no further reviews, with government requesting another round of information and assessment from the CSIRO and Geoscience Australia.

“DES has consistently said it will not pursue further reviews. However, they have gone back on their word once again. We are now facing the prospect of another torturous and never-ending management plan approval process like the one we have endured for the black-throated finch.”

The state government has rejected Adani’s management plan for the endangered black-throated finch, demanding several new commitments that Adani has said stretches well beyond the conditions of the Environmental Authority that Adani is obligated to meet.

Dow has said that the scope of the latest round of reviews of the groundwater plan had not been provided.

“The department’s processes, timing and decision-making have zero transparency. Trying to see what needs to be done to ensure that these management plans can be signed off is like trying to see through a brick wall . . .

“If this latest request for further information and assessment was above board and in-line with the Carmichael project’s conditions, why is there a need for secrecy and nondisclosure?”

Dow has also noted that, considering that the DES has been reviewing the water management plans for more than two years, and across 11 versions of the plan while having access to the CSIRO and Geoscience Australia’s assessments, the requirement for further information and delays at this point is not only extraordinary but also an “injustice through process”.

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.