Adani Mining has applied for an environmental assessment from the federal government of a 300km rail line from Galilee Basin to Abbot Point Coal Terminal as it pushes ahead to develop its Carmichael coal mine.
The rail line to Abbot Point would have the capacity to carry 100 million tonnes.
The company said it would work with other Galilee proponents transporting coal to the port.
Negotiations have also started over access to the proposed Dudgeon Point port south of Dalrymple Bay.
APN reported Endcoal, Whitehaven Coal, Yancoal, QC Resource Investments and Linc Energy are all vying to be a part of the project, which is led by Adani.
The Adani Group announced plans last year to push ahead with its $10 billion Carmichael Coal mine, rail and port project, flagging the need for 9000 workers.
Chairman Gautam Adani announced his company planned to export its first coal to India in 2016.
At 10 billion tonnes, Carmichael is considered the largest single coal tenement in the world.
The new network will help deliver access to the under-developed Galilee Basin, considered by many as the new frontier in Queensland mining.
Indian company GVK and Aurizon have also signed a deal which will see them build $6 billion worth of rail and port infrastructure to service the region.
Under the new deal the two companies will build a 500km rail line from the Galilee Basin to Abbot Point, with Aurizon, formerly QR National, providing railway logistics and GVK providing financial backing.
The deal means Aurizon will take a 51 per cent share in Hancock Coal Infrastructure, which houses GVK Hancock's rail and port projects.
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