Anglo American granted mining lease extension for Lake Lindsay mine
An extra 5.6 million tonnes of steel-making coal will be produced, and 500 jobs supported in a region with a “proud mining history” after a major announcement on Thursday.
Rockhampton
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A Central Queensland coal mine has been given the green light on an extension, securing 500 jobs and extending the life of the project by another 20 years.
The mining lease for Anglo American’s Lake Lindsay steelmaking coal mine at Middlemount in the Bowen Basin has officially been approved by the Queensland Government.
The lease will extend the life of the mine to 2044 and will produce 5.6 million tonnes of steelmaking coal once fully operational.
A previous report stated surface disturbance and site preparation works would commence in 2024 and extraction of coal would begin around 2027.
Coal will be extracted using the same mining method and equipment currently used.
“Capcoal Open Cut is a significant contributor in our steelmaking coal portfolio and we’re pleased this extension to our mining tenure has been granted, allowing for continuation of the mine and maintaining the employment for the existing workforce at Capcoal,” Anglo American Australia CEO Dan van der Westhuizen said in a statement.
“Steelmaking coal is a critical element of steel, which is used in every aspect of modern life.”
Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke said the expansion showed confidence in the industry.
“Central Queensland has a long and proud history of mining and the industry supports thousands of good jobs,” he said.
It was revealed this week the resources industry has attributed $116.8bn into the state’s economy this financial year, $22bn more than the year before.
It was also found coal companies accounted for 72 per cent, $87bn, of the resource sector’s total contribution to the state’s gross regional product.
“The granting of this mining lease shows Queensland’s resources industry continues to go from strength to strength,” Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.
Steel-making was worth nearly $60bn in the 12 months to May this year, making it one of the state’s biggest export earners.
“We need steel for construction, domestic appliances, automotive and mechanical equipment, and also for turbines to generate renewable energy on wind farms,” Mr Stewart said.
“I want to congratulate Anglo American for their continued investment in their operations in the Bowen Basin because it means hundreds of good jobs and a boost to the local economy for years to come.”
The previous mining lease for the Lake Lindsay Mine was granted in 2006.
Lake Lindsay Mine is located within Anglo American’s Capcoal Mining Complex, 21kms from Middlemount and 70kms from Emerald.
The complex has been operating for 35-plus years in open cut mining.
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