Queensland Government Declares its Support for the Resources Industry

26/08/2019 By Nuno Marques

Mining News

Just weeks after granting Adani the environmental approvals it needed to start work on its Galilee Basin mine, the Palaszczuk Labor government is opening up more of the state for coal mining projects.

Mines Minister Anthony Lynham announced more land in Queensland’s coal-rich Bowen Basin would be opened for exploration.

Earlier this month, the Queensland government opened tenders for five areas with high potential for thermal and coking coal.

“The coal industry supports 36,000 jobs across the state and this is an investment in future projects and jobs,” Dr Lynham said.

“Exploration is the lifeblood of the resources sector, and the thousands of jobs and business opportunities it provides, particularly in regional Queensland.”

The five areas, made up of 147 sub-blocks, are:

One 60 square kilometre area north-east of Moranbah with potential for metallurgical coal
Three areas of 6km² each east of Blackwater providing opportunities for thermal coal and pulverised coal injection coal
One 380km² area south-east of Emerald with potential for thermal coal

Coking coal – or metallurgical coal – is a vital ingredient in the steel-making process, while thermal coal is mostly used for power generation.

Dr Lynham said metallurgical and pulverised coal injection coals were used for building homes, wind turbines and parts for the electric vehicle industry.

“The world needs our metallurgical coal as part of the transition to renewables,” he said.

The new blocks will have access to the Bowen Basin’s existing rail and port infrastructure at Hay Point and Gladstone to get the coal from pit to port.

(*adapted from Brisbane Times)

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