Queensland Resources Minister Approves Expansion of New Hope’s Mothballed Acland Coal Mine
[Click image to enlarge]
A mothballed thermal coalmine on some of Australia’s richest agricultural soil is preparing to revive operations after taking a major step towards gaining final government approval.
Queensland’s resources minister, Scott Stewart, announced the expansion of New Acland Coal Mine in a two-line release issued Friday afternoon, saying he was approving New Hope Group’s mining leases for stage three of the open cut mine “after careful consideration”.
The project still requires a water license.
Stage three would revive the mothballed mine near the town of Oakey, north-west of Toowoomba, and lift its output from 4.8m tonnes to 7.8m tonnes a year. New Hope exhausted its last coal reserves at the mine in late November, but approval would extend its life for 12 years to 2034.
The New Acland expansion was granted environmental approval in late June.
New Hope responded to Friday’s announcement with a statement to the stock market saying it had “begun preparations for resumption of mining operations”.
The company said it “continues to work collaboratively with representatives from the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water in anticipation of the grant of the associated water license”.
The company’s chair, Robert Millner, said the mine “remains at risk of ongoing delays caused by objectors utilizing the court system to engage in ‘lawfare’ to slow down the approval process”.
The mine has been the target of a decade-long campaign by environmentalists and farmers.
Days before it was given environmental approval, the Queensland government announced it had accepted an environmental undertaking proposed by New Hope Group, which would see them commit $2 million to habitat rehabilitation to avoid the matter going to court.
On Friday the state opposition’s resources spokesperson, Pat Weir, whose electorate of Condamine encompasses the mine, said the expansion should have been rubber stamped years ago”.
Weir said the Palaszczuk government had been “embarrassed” and “forced” into approving the project mine.
Source: The Guardian
About New Hope Group
New Hope Group is a majority Australian owned and operated diversified energy company which has been proudly operating for more than 60 years. New Hope has business interests and operations spanning coal mining, exploration, port operation, oil, agriculture, innovative technologies, and investment.
To stop by New Hope’s website, CLICK HERE
Be in-the-know when you’re on-the-go!
FREE eNews delivery service to your email twice-weekly. With a focus on lead-driven news, our news service will help you develop new business contacts on an on-going basis.
CLICK HERE to register your email address.
