The proposed Byerwen coal mine in Queensland has been declared a “significant project” by the Queensland Coordinator-General, paving the way for the developers JFE Steel and QCoal to start the Environmental Impact Statement.

 

The proposed $1.5 billion project at a Greenfield site in in the northern Bowen Basin, approximately 140km west of Mackay, is expected to produce up to ten million tonnes per annum of high-quality, metallurgical coking coal primarily for the Japanese and Asian export market over a lifespan of 50 years.

 

If approved, up to 500 jobs could be created during construction and up to 1000 jobs at its full operational stage.

 

The proposed project would be both an open-cut coal mine and an underground mine and would use existing rail facilities to move the coal to the export terminal at Abbot Point.

 

Following state and federal approvals, construction on the open cut mine could begin as early as 2012, but Coordinator-General Keith Davies said declaring the project a “significant project” does not necessarily mean it will gain approval or support.

 

Rather, it is the beginning of the EIS process.

 

"This declaration is recognition of the significant complexity of the proposed project," Mr Davies said.

 

"It marks the start of a rigorous and thorough assessment of the proposed project, which will consider the project's environmental, economic and social impacts.

"The next step for Byerwen Coal is the preparation of draft Terms of Reference for the EIS. These will be circulated to key stakeholders and advertised for public comment in the coming months."