Baralaba Coal is proposing to expand its coal mining footprint in Central Queensland, creating more than 500 new jobs during operation.
Already the owners of the Baralaba North mine in the Banana Shire, Baralaba Coal is planning for the Baralaba South Coal Project, an open-cut mine capable of producing 2.5 million tonnes per annum for about 23 years.
The project was first mooted more than a decade ago, but its march through the approvals process halted in 2015.
Now, the State Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has invited public submissions for the project’s environmental impact statement.
“The project is a component of Baralaba Coal Company’s Baralaba Expansion Project which was declared a prescribed project… on 31 July 2013 by the Queensland Minister for State Development,” corporate documents stated.
“The Baralaba South Project lies between the Baralaba North Mine and… the train load out facility and it is intended to operate the Baralaba South Project as part of a mine complex with the Baralaba North Mine at product coal production rates up to the maximum limits of the company’s infrastructure approvals, which currently stand at 3.5Mtpa of product coal between the two operations.
“This will enable flexibility of production between the two mines while fully utilising the established, constructed and approved haulage and rail transport infrastructure that the companies have invested significantly in.”
A new electricity transmission line from the Baralaba substation will supply power to the site with some 4.5 kilometres of the council controlled Baralaba–Moura Road to be realigned.
The existing train loadout facility near Moura will be used for coal haulage.
“The peak estimated workforce required for the project would be up to 521 workers… it is anticipated that workforce transport to the project would be approximately five per cent fly-in fly-out, 70 per cent drive-in drive-out and 25 per cent local,” the initial advice statement stated.
The project workforce during construction is estimated to be about 150 employees.
Baralaba Coal owns and operates an accommodation camp at the Baralaba Caravan Park which can be expanded to add an extra 255 units for peak periods
“The project will continue to support local suppliers and contractors as is the case for operations at the Baralaba North Mine, providing additional security and longevity of employment in the region,” the company said.
Baralaba Coal has reopened its community office in the town centre, held open sessions and met with affected individuals.
Submissions close on May 1.
