PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Mining has restarted at the Wilkie Creek coal mine, in Queensland.
Owner New Wilkie Energy on Friday said that the mine is forecast to produce approximately 2.4 million tonnes per annum of high-quality thermal coal, destined for markets in Asia.
The project currently employs approximately 300 fulltime staff and contractors. Capital works ae continuing and are expected to be completed over the coming months. The workforce is expected to increase to 350 in the subsequent 12 to18 month period.
“In a significant milestone, Queensland Rail has received Ministerial approval and has signed the Access Agreement to enable the first shipment of NWE coal to occur early in the second half of the year, utilising the West Moreton Coal rail system servicing the Port of Brisbane,’’ New Wilkie Energy MD Gary Williams said.
“We have also signed the Rail Haulage Agreement with Aurizon. QR, Aurizon and Queensland Bulk Handling (Port of Brisbane) are our strategic partners in our logistics infrastructure.
“Now that critical milestones have been attained, finance for the project is expected to close shortly as arranged by Archibald Capital and Imperial Capital. The execution of the New Wilkie Coal development is a credit to the project team and the hard work of our employees and commercial partners,” Williams said.
New Wilkie Coal acquired the project from diversified miner Glencore in 2021, and the mine has been on care-and-maintenance since 2014.