Eagle Downs Coal Mine project
The proponent for the Eagle Downs Coal Mine Project is the Bowen Central Coal Joint Venture Parties, consisting of Bowen Central Coal Pty Ltd (50%) and Aquila Coal Pty Ltd (50%). The project would involve the development of a greenfield underground coal mine producing up to seven million tonnes a year of coking coal and thermal coal for export. The project site (Mining Lease Application 70389) is located 20km south-east of Moranbah in Central Queensland and is approximately 2km east of Peak Downs open cut mine. The proposed Eagle Downs Mine will use the longwall method to mine the coal. An overland conveyor would transport coal from the conveyor drift portal to a coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) on site where it would be crushed, sized and washed. Coarse rejects and dewatered fine rejects would be hauled by truck from the CHPP to a dry rejects emplacement area on site. A rail loop and train loading facilities would be located adjacent to the CHPP and connected to the existing Norwich Park Branch railway. Product coal would be transported to port via rail for export. The mine is expected to operate for more than 50 years.
The project is a controlled action under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The State's EIS process has been accredited for the assessment under Part 8 of the EPBC Act in accordance with the Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Queensland (2004). The controlling provisions are sections 18 and 18A (Listed threatened species and communities).
The Environmental Impact Statement for the Eagle Downs Coal Mine project is currently available for review. Any interested persons are invited to view the document and provide a submission on the adequacy of the EIS in identifying, describing and mitigating any environmental impacts. The EIS is available for viewing at the locations described on the Public Notice (s.51 & s.52 EP Act). It is also available at the following web site: www.hansenbailey.com.au or can be purchased by contacting Hansen Bailey on (07) 3226 0900, Email: bmills@hansenbailey.com.au; or write to: Hansen Bailey, GPO Box 3285, BRISBANE, QLD, 4001.
Submissions should be received by Monday 1 June 2009 and should be addressed to:
The Chief Executive, Department of Environment and Resource Management
Attn: EIS Coordinator, Eagle Downs Coal Mine Project
PO Box 15155
CITY EAST QLD 4002
The process for the assessment of the Eagle Downs Coal Mine Project is as follows:
Copies of publicly available documents can be obtained by accessing the links below:
- Final terms of reference
- Initial advice statement describing the project
- Public notice (s46 EP Act)
- Public notice (s.51 & s.52 EP Act)
For further information about the EIS process for the Eagle Downs Coal Mine Project please contact the EIS Co-ordinator on telephone 1300 130 372. Additional information about the project is also available by contacting Hansen Bailey on (07) 3226 0900.
Last updated: 17 April 2009