The QLD government has approved Bandanna Energy’s Springsure Creek coal mine’s EIS for its operations in the Bowen Basin.
The approvals for the $1.2bn mine were welcomed by Bandanna managing director Michael Gray, who said the release of the EIS Assessment report represented a major milestone for miner, adding that it remains on track to begin production and exports in mid- 2015.
“This decision takes us another step closer to final approval for the project which is good news for the Central Queensland economy and the hundreds of locals who have registered with us for employment or to provide goods and services at Springsure Creek,” Gray said.
“This is one of the few current mining projects in Queensland that is ready to proceed in the immediate future with access to existing rail and port capacity.
“We are pleased that our EIS has been approved and we can now move into the final regulatory approval stages for the grant of the mining lease for the mine area. Throughout the EIS process Bandanna Energy has offered substantial commitments to the Queensland Government in relation to the productivity of prime agricultural lands. With the approval of the EIS, we are looking forward to finalising compensation arrangements with landowners and other key stakeholders.”
Bandanna will now submit its environmental management plant to the QLD DEHP, to aid in the development of conditions for the draft environmental authority.
The miner hasalso recently announced a non-binding heads of agreement with Korean powergenerator Korea Midland Power Co. (KOMIPO) for a long term offtake agreement.
Once the mine receives full approvals its construction of the first stage of the project will directly employ 1022 people, and create another 2014 jobs indirectly.