PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Gold miner Evolution Mining’s Mt Rawdon pumped hydro (MRPH) project has been declared a Coordinated Project by the Queensland government’s Coordinator-General.

The MRPH project is being jointly developed by Evolution and ICA Partners to provide up to 20 GWh of renewable energy storage at a critical location in the network. The combination of an existing deep openpit, surrounded by steep hills, with known geotechnical conditions that is only 22 km from the state’s major transmission lines makes for a very competitive pumped hydro project, Evolution noted.

The company told shareholders on Thursday that the award of Coordinated Project status confirmed the strategic significance of the project in the state and its potential to contribute to the objectives of the recently announced Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.

“Our plan to convert Mt Rawdon into a pumped hydro renewable energy asset has the potential to create significant value to shareholders while also being a model mine closure. It demonstrates that by thinking differently we can continue to contribute to the local and state communities after mine closure and support the renewable energy transition,” said Evolution executive chairperson Jake Klein.

“Coordinated status is an important milestone and we look forward to progressing the Project by working with our communities, First Nation partners and the Queensland government to ensure Mt Rawdon plays a constructive role in the future of the state.”

Coordinated Project designation is intended to streamline interactions with key state government departments and agencies and the project team looks forward to commencing this process. This will include the preparation of an environmental impact statement.

At the same time the project team is continuing its engagement with key stakeholders including the local communities and First Nations partners of Mt Rawdon, the Commonwealth and state governments, the North Burnett and Bundaberg Councils, and the Burnett Mary Regional Group, along with the company’s own employees and contracting partners.

The feasibility study for the project is also progressing and is on track for completion by mid-2023.