Carmichael rail line to create up to 2400 new mining construction jobs

Posted: 14th Aug

Construction of a rail line to the new Carmichael Coal Mine would create up to 2400 jobs, according to Queensland deputy premier Jeff Seeney.

The Carmichael mine, billed to be the biggest coal mine in Australia, received federal environmental approval in July.

The rail line will connect the Galilee basin coal mining precinct to the Abbott Point Terminal on the Queensland coast to facilitate export of the coal.

Seeney said the two-year construction of the rail line would bring an additional $790 million to the Mackay region economy, as well as $900 million to government.

The rail line will be capable of transporting 100 million tonnes of coal each year.

The Carmichael development has met intense criticism from environmental conservation groups, however Seeney has made assurances that developers will be governed by strict environmental conditions to protect flora and fauna, water and air quality, and noise emissions.

The conditions include provision for a Great Artesian Basin Springs research plan, which must be submitted to the environment minister three months prior to the excavation of the first box cut.

“The company must also submit final rail design and revised flood modelling to the co-ordinator general before construction commences,” he said.

The Carmichael coal mine and rail project is worth a total of $16.5 billion and is owned by indian miner Adani.

Adani must contribute $100,000 per year for 10 years for a biodiversity fund aimed at the better protection and long term conservation of EPBC Act listed species and communities.

At full export capacity, Carmichael will contribute $930 million to the Mackay region’s GDP, and $2.97 billion to the Queensland economy each year for the next 60 years.

14 August, 2014 - Ben Hagemann - Australian Mining

http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/carmichael-rail-line-to-create-new-mining-construc