'The Range' Project

Project summary
Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Queensland)
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)
Public notification of Final Terms of Reference (TOR)
Further information

Project summary

Stanmore Coal Limited (as 100% owner of Comet Coal and Coke Pty Ltd) proposes to develop an open cut coal mine located 25 km south-east of Wandoan. The proponent has a granted exploration permit for coal (EPC 112) over the project area and has applied for a mining lease (MLA 55001) covering 5226 ha. Thermal coal would be extracted at a rate of up to 11.2 million tonnes per annum with a total of 142 million tonnes to be extracted over a 25-year mine life.

Mining operations would consist of conventional open-cut mining techniques, which include topsoil stripping, drill and blast, truck and shovel operations, dozer push waste removal, coal extraction and progressive rehabilitation. The proposed mining infrastructure would include two open pits, two out of pit dumps, a run-of-mine stockpile, a coal handling and preparation plant, an initial out of pit tailings storage dam and a private haul road linking to the Surat Basin Rail Link. Other mine infrastructure would consist of communications infrastructure, access road to site, onsite light vehicle access roads, heavy vehicle haul roads, a water management system, raw water storage and sediment control structures, explosives storage facilities, fuel and oil storage facilities, high voltage transmission lines, a substation and reticulation facilities, maintenance workshop, warehouse, offices and associated amenities.

The total workforce required during construction would be 350 persons, rising to in the order of 500 persons during production. It is proposed to develop a central accommodation village located at or near Wandoan or Miles sufficient for the drive in-drive out members of the workforce. The village would be owned and operated by an external party and not included in the scope of ‘The Range’ Project.

It is anticipated to transport the thermal coal via the new Surat Basin Rail Link to the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) for export. The transport corridor would be required to transfer the coal product to the train loading facility on the Surat Basin Rail Link. Two options for the transport corridor are being investigated as part of the project. Further studies will identify the best method of off-site product transport, including overland conveyer system and road trains. The infrastructure may also include a conveyor over the Leichhardt Highway to facilitate train loading.

Water requirements for the project would be approximately 1500 megalitres per annum. Two options would be investigated during the EIS process with water supply coming from a branch pipeline from the proposed SunWater Nathan to Dalby pipeline from the proposed Nathan Dam or from an off-take agreement with a coal seam gas (CSG) producer.

The expected power demand would be between 10 to 15 megawatts per annum. Power would be either sourced through Powerlink or Ergon Energy, or through a small gas fired power utility using CSG supplied from nearby pipelines. It is proposed that the spur powerline would be located within the existing Gulugaba to Downfall Creek road reserve. The power requirements would be investigated further in the pre-feasibility study. One public road may require relocation and some other roads may require upgrades. Impacts on the existing stock route south of the mining lease application (MLA) will be investigated during the EIS assessment.

The proposed project would include progressive rehabilitation of disturbed areas. It is anticipated that overburden and waste rock would be used to back-fill the open pit.

Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Queensland)

On 23 November 2010, an application was made by the proponent under Section 154 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) for an environmental authority. Under Section 162 of the EP Act it was determined that assessment of ‘The Range’ Project would be by environmental impact statement (EIS).

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)

On 4 April 2011, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities determined the proposed project to be a controlled action under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The controlling provisions are Sections 18 and 18A (listed threatened species and communities) and 20 and 20A (listed migratory species). The project will be assessed under the bilateral agreement using the EIS prepared under the EP Act.

Public notification of 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 4 November 2011. The proponent has until 4 November 2013 to prepare the draft EIS and submit it to DERM for assessment. The EIS will be available for public review and the department’s chief executive will invite written submissions from the public in relation to the draft EIS in due course.