Environment and Resource Management

Springsure Creek Coal Project

Project summary

The proponent for the Springsure Creek Coal Mine Project is Springsure Creek Coal Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Bandanna Energy. The project would involve the development of an underground coal mine producing up to nine million tonnes a year of thermal coal. The project is located approximately 40 kilometres south of Emerald in central Queensland. The main lease containing the mining operations and infrastructure would be wholly located within the Exploration Permit Coal (EPC) 891 tenement. There would be several other leases for infrastructure such as a new rail load out facility.

The mining method proposed is conventional retreat, full seam longwall extraction. However, it is likely that bord and pillar methods might also be used. Run-of-mine coal would be subject to a simple crushing and screening process. A coal handling and processing plant (CHPP) would be considered depending on the market demand for higher quality product. The CHPP would be initially designed to handle up to five million tonnes a year with provision for expansion if required.

The project would be located on land currently used for grazing and cropping.  On 31 May 2011 the Queensland Government announced its intention to introduce legislation later in the year to protect strategic cropping land. For more information in relation to the strategic cropping land framework, please visit the department’s website at www.derm.qld.gov.au.

Product coal would be transported to a proposed train loading facility connected to the existing Rolleston rail line using a proposed new balloon loop and rail spur. The coal would then be taken to the Wiggins Island Export Coal Terminal via the Blackwater-Gladstone rail line. The expected life of the project is 25–30 years, although that may be extended if the ongoing exploration program identifies additional resources. 

It is anticipated that the project would involve significant associated civil works including:

Employees would be accommodated in nearby towns of Springsure and Emerald. The project would require 300 employees during construction and 150 employees during operation.

Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Queensland)

On 2 December 2010, an application was made by the proponent under section 71 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) for the preparation of a voluntary environmental impact statement (EIS). The application was approved on 17 December 2010.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(Commonwealth)

On 21 March 2011, the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) determined the Springsure Creek Coal Mine Project to be a controlled action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The controlling provisions are sections 18 and 18A (listed threatened species and communities) and sections 20 and 20A (listed migratory species). However, the State’s EIS process will not be used to assess the project under the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Queensland relating to environmental assessments. SEWPaC will conduct its own EIS process under the EPBC Act.

Final Terms of Reference (TOR)

The process for the assessment of this project is as follows:

The final terms of reference for the EIS were issued to the proponent on 2 June 2011. The proponent will now prepare the EIS. The EIS will be available for public review and the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s chief executive will invite written submissions from any person in relation to the EIS in due course.

Further information

Copies of currently available public documents can be obtained by accessing the links below:

For further information about the EIS process for the Springsure Creek Coal Mining Project please contact the EIS Co-ordinator or Springsure Creek Coal Pty Ltd at <communications@bandanna.com.au> or phone 1800 230 064.

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Last updated 2 June 2011

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