Billion-dollar Winchester South project a step closer for Bowen Basin
12 September 2019
The $1 billion
Winchester South
mining project in the Bowen Basin is closer to reality with final terms
of reference for the project’s
environmental impact statement (EIS)
released today.
Reaching this milestone allows the proponent, Whitehaven WS, to start
working on a draft EIS for public consultation, and is recognised as a
key part of the
approval process.
Whitehaven WS proposes the Winchester South project as an open cut
mine
predominately for metallurgical (coking) coal, which is crucial for
steelmaking.
Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said the project, near
Moranbah, is expected to deliver 500 new construction
jobs and support
up to 450 full-time jobs once operational.
“This mining facility could extract up to eight million tonnes of
product coal each year for approximately 30 years,” Mr Dick said.
“That type of production would contribute significantly to both the
local and state economy, boosting our exports and supporting communities
in the region.
“These terms of reference follow public consultation and will ensure
potential impacts on the natural, social and economic environment are
appropriately considered.
“Whitehaven WS will now prepare a draft EIS, and once that satisfies
Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General the community will have
another opportunity to have their say on the project.”
Assistant State Development Minister and Member for Mackay Julieanne
Gilbert said the proponent would look to employ from local towns in the
region, including Moranbah, Dysart and Coppabella.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities
Act bans large resource projects like this from employing 100 per cent
fly-in-fly-out workforces,” Ms Gilbert said.
If approved, it’s estimated construction of the project would commence
in 2021, with the first extraction of coal proposed for 2023.
View the final terms of reference,
http://eisdocs.dsdip.qld.gov.au/Winchester%20South/Final%20terms%20of%20reference/winchester-south-project-terms-of-reference-for-an-eis.pdf.
Learn more about the Winchester South project,
http://www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/winchestersouth.
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Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: N/A
External Links:
http://www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/winchestersouth
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