Published: February 7, 2024 |

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One of Australia’s largest proposed greenfield coal mines has been given environmental approval by the Queensland government.

Whitehaven Coal’s Winchester South Coal Mine in central Queensland’s Bowen Basin plans to extract up to 17 million tonnes of coal a year for about 30 years.

The open-cut mine, 30 kilometers south-east of Moranbah, would produce mostly metallurgical coal, used to make steel, with secondary thermal coal for energy generation. 

Environmental groups have slammed the decision, with concern over the emissions the mine will produce, given its size.

The Queensland Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation approved the company’s environmental authority (EA) application after the coordinator-general recommended the project proceed in November last year.

However, it still needs federal government approval through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) process.

The company, along with the five organizations that made submissions on the EA, will be formally notified of the decision next Wednesday.

All parties then have 20 days to object to the decision and request it be referred to the Land Court.

Source: ABC News Australia

Whitehaven Coal develops and operates coal mines in New South Wales and Queensland. It operates through three segments: open cut operations, underground operations, and coal trading and blending. The company produces metallurgical and thermal coal. It operates four mines, including three open cut and one underground located in the Gunnedah Coal Basin in New South Wales. The company sells coal in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Europe, and internationally. Whitehaven Coal Limited was founded in 1999 and is based in Sydney, Australia.

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