Carmichael Coal Project

The Carmichael Coal Project is a coal mine proposed by Adani Mining, a subsidiary of the Adani Group. The proposed mine is located approximately 160 kilometres to the north-west of Clermont in the Galilee Basin, Central Queensland. The company has stated that while the initial mine capacity would be 2 million tonnes a year, it could be expanded to 60 million tonnes a year by 2022.

On its website Adani states that the project has an estimated 7.8 billion tonnes of coal resources and that a 60 million tonne a year project could have a mine life of a century. "The proposed mine involves the development of both a greenfield open-cut mine and an underground mine, supported by rail facilities leading to coal export terminals at either Abbot Point or Hay Point or both these ports. The mine has an expected life of more than 100 years. Export coal from the Project and will predominantly service the Indian domestic power market," the company states.

The company states that it is proposing that the mine would be initially commissioned in 2014 producing 2 million tonnes and increase to 60 million tonnes capacity. It states that the cost of the project would be $6.8 billion for the mine rail and port infrastructure if coal is exported from the Port of Abbot Point or $6.0 billion if coal is exported from Hay Point.

State government support
In November 2010 Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announced that the Coordinator-General had declared the proposed Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project as a 'Significant Project'. Bligh stated that the cost of the project would be $4.1 billion for the mines with an $6 billion rail infrastructure "leading to coal export terminals at Abbot Point, Hay Point or both." She stated that the mine "could employ 4000 people during construction and a permanent operational workforce of up to 5000 employees." In addition, she stated, the railway could employ "approximately 2000 people during construction and an operational workforce of up to 120".

Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Project website
Website: http://www.deedi.qld.gov.au/cg/carmichael-coal-mine-and-rail-project.html

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