Whitehaven Coal’s Winchester South mine releases draft EIS
A $1 billion metallurgical coal mine that will unlock new jobs in the Bowen Basin will reach a new milestone today, with construction set to start late next year.
Mackay
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A massive $1 billion metallurgical coal mine that will unlock 1000 new jobs in the Bowen Basin will reach a new milestone with the release of its draft environmental impact statement today.
Whitehaven Coal’s Winchester South greenfield open cut coal mine is expected to yield up to 11 million tonnes of coal per annum, with an anticipated lifespan of 30 years.
About 500 jobs are tipped to be created during construction, and 500 jobs during the mine’s operations.
Construction is expected to start in late 2022.
The project includes an open cut coal mine with a rail connection to the Norwich Park Branch Railway, a water pipeline to the Eungella pipeline network, an electricity transmission line and access road.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart and Whitehaven Coal’s Paul Flynn are encouraging submissions on the draft EIS for the Winchester South coal mine, 30km southeast of Moranbah.
Mr Stewart said the mine would create more than $500 million in royalties which would be spent on Queensland schools, hospitals, and roads, as the state continued to implement its Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
“This project will be a massive jobs and business boost for Central Queensland and the Isaac region particularly, with those benefits extending east to Mackay,” Mr Stewart said.
“Whitehaven Coal has a strong record of local employment and is committed to maintaining local employment here in Queensland.
“Ongoing investment in our resources sector continues to underpin Queensland’s economic recovery plan and prove that Queensland is the place to be when it comes to resources investment.”
Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert welcomed the next stage of the approvals process to get the Winchester South mine under way.
“This project has the potential to make a major contribution to not only Mackay but also the region and the state,” she said.
“The resources industry is a key part of Mackay and people and businesses throughout the city benefit from a strong mining sector.
“It’s important people can have their say on this job creating project for the region.”
It comes just days after Stanmore Resources announced its $82 million extension to the Isaac Plains Mining Complex near Moranbah, supporting up to 550 jobs.
Whitehaven Coal managing director and CEO Paul Flynn welcomed the release of the EIS.
“Since acquiring Winchester South in 2018, our team has developed a detailed project design that capitalises on the site’s position in a well-established coal region,” Mr Flynn said.
“As our first development in Queensland, we’ve built productive relationships with the community, local council, the Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation, government, and other stakeholders, all of whom have been critical to developing the proposal.
“This project will support ongoing economic development in regional Queensland and importantly in the customer countries where the product will be used.
“We encourage any interested parties to have a say as part of this public notification process.”
Submissions are open until September 15 and the finalised EIS will then be provided to the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments for examination.
“A comprehensive EIS is critical for all major projects and I encourage as many people as possible to have their say to ensure that it covers all the environmental, social and economic effects of the project,” Mr Stewart said.
The EIS is available on the Co-ordinator General’s Winchester South project page.
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Originally published as Whitehaven Coal’s Winchester South mine releases draft EIS
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