QUEENSLAND NEWS
ANOTHER METALLURGICAL COAL MINE FOR QLD
Vitrinite has received the green light for a new coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin. The $160m mine – Vulcan mine complex – is projected to have a 15 year lifespan and will provide a major economic boost for the area as well as providing over 150 full time roles and more roles in the development of the site.
According to the Australian Mining Review, the Nick Williams (the Vitrinite founder and Managing Director) has stated:-
“Having the Vulcan mining lease approved for Vitrinite is a huge milestone for our company,”
“Going from a greenfield to a producing mine is a huge feat for any company and to do it in the time we’ve done it is an amazing feat and we’re very excited.”
“The Vitrinite family are looking forward to supplying 150 jobs to the local people,” he said. “We’re also excited about providing opportunities for local businesses.”
With the sustainability of producing coal always in question, Williams said Vitrinite is conscious of the role it needs to play to maintain the environment.
“We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. We are adopting world-class, innovative technologies to progressively rehabilitate our pit beyond our statutory requirements.”
Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane echoed Williams’ sentiments, highlighting the environmental considerations at play.
“Queensland is widely regarded as having the strictest environmental regulations in the world, which our industry is fully committed to complying with, along with our determination to lower carbon emissions and implement sustainable mining practices,” Macfarlane said.
“The Vulcan complex mine project is also the first resources project in Queensland to have its progressive rehabilitation and closure plan (PRCP) approved under new legislation introduced in 2019.
“A PRCP commits mine operators to progressively rehabilitating land while the mine is operating and returning the land to its pre-mining use at the end of the project, which in this case is low-intensity cattle grazing.”
NEW SOUTH WALES NEWS
EXPANSION OF COAL SITE IN NSW
Tahmoor Coking Coal has received environmental approval from the Federal Government to expand the Tahmoor coal mine in New South Wales, expanding the site for an additional 10 years and seeing a further 33 million tonnes being mined in an area that will be known as Tahmoor South project.
The Australian Mining Review has reported that Environment Minister Sussan Ley signed off on the extension on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.
Conditional approval was granted in April by the Department of Planning, Industry & Environment, as well as the Independent Planning Commission.
The mine is owned and operated by SIMEC Mining, a member of the GFG Alliance.
A SIMEC spokesperson said this approval would greatly benefit the operation and the surrounding economy.
“SIMEC Mining welcomes the Federal Government’s approval of the Tahmoor South project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act,” the spokesperson said.
“Approval of the project will secure the futures of more than 400 workers and inject millions of dollars into the region.”
“The decision is a positive outcome for our employees, suppliers, local businesses and the broader community, and reaffirms the importance of supplying high-quality metallurgical (coking) coal used in steelmaking and manufacturing.”
The current operations are due to end in 2022, with the approval extending the mine life until 2032.
The extension and continued operations at Tahmoor will see $644.9 million contributed to the local and state economy.
In April, as the Independent Planning Commission approved the extension, commissioners Richard Mackay and Chris Fell said the approval was in everyone’s interests.
“The commission agrees with the department’s findings… that the proposed extension of the existing Tahmoor coal mine is strategically justified and is in the public interest, and that the identified impacts can be appropriately managed through the conditions of consent imposed,” the commission stated.
NORTHERN TERRITORY NEWS
FINNISS MINE TO COMMENCE IN NT
Lucas Total Control has been awarded a 3 year contract through Core Lithium to construct the first open pit mine site being developed at Finniss.
They will be responsible for all construction (including load and haul / drill and blast / clear and grub services / water controls / management of topsoil, pads, roads, dumps, dams, bunds ) with an expectation that the first lithium to be produced will be in later 2022.
Core Lithium managing director Stephen Biggins said he is buoyed by Lucas’ potential at Finniss.
This is a major project expected to bring many jobs to the Northern Territory and increased revenue for the State as the construction phase of this project is to commence before the end of this year.
Jobs will be offered to both locals and FIFO, with Cairns being a choice area for FIFO candidates to reside due to the ease of flights from there.
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