Newlands coal extension project
Project summary
Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd (Xstrata Coal Queensland) as manager on behalf of the NCA Joint Venture proposes to extend the life of the existing Newlands Coal mine. The project known as the Newlands Coal Extension Project is located in the northern Bowen Basin near Glenden, approximately 140km west of Mackay. The NCA Joint Venture is an unincorporated joint venture comprising Xstrata Coal Queensland (55 per cent); Itochu Coal Resources Australia (25%); ICRA NCA (10%); and Sumisho Coal Australia Pty Ltd (10%).
The proponent has applied for three new mining leases ML 10352, ML 10361 and ML 10362, covering 11,674 hectares. No overall increase of the 10.5 million tonnes (mt) of the annual rate of coal production is proposed.
The proposed extension would expand both open cut and underground mining activities, which would extend the life of the mine until 2038, with rehabilitation completed by 2042. Open-cut mining activities within the project area would commence in 2016, with a proposed mine life of 22 years and would produce up to 5mt of run of mine coal (ROM) per year. Open-cut mining would be carried out using existing draglines and large-scale truck and shovel equipment. The underground mining activities would involve an extension of existing longwall activities at the Northern Underground mine. Underground mining in the project area would commence in 2013 and would extend the life of the Northern Underground mine by an additional 13 years, producing up to 6mt of ROM coal per annum during this time. The project would provide ongoing employment for the existing 1579 employees as well as continuing to provide economic benefits regionally, to the state and nationally.
Queensland assessment process
Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Queensland)
An application was made by the proponent under section 238 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) for an amendment to the existing environmental authority for the Newlands Coal Extension Project. Under section 246 of the EP Act it was determined that assessment of the Newlands Coal Extension Project would be by environmental impact statement (EIS).
The process for the assessment of this project is as follows:
- Submission of draft TOR
- Public notification of draft TOR
- Final TOR issued—EIS in preparation
- Public notification of EIS
- Proponent responds to submissions
- EIS assessment report
The EIS assessment report was issued to the proponent on 28 May 2013. The EIS process under Chapter 3, Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 has now been completed.
Commonwealth assessment process
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)
On 23 August 2011, the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities determined that the proposed project was a controlled action (EPBC Act reference 2011/5968) 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 potential impacts of the project on the controlling provisions were assessed under the state’s EIS process which has been accredited for the assessment under the EPBC Act in accordance with the Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Queensland (2012). A copy of the EIS assessment report has been given to the Commonwealth to assist with making a decision under Chapter 4, Part 9 of the EPBC Act.
Further information
Copies of publicly available documents can be obtained by accessing the links below:
For further information regarding the EIS process for this proposal, please contact the EIS coordinator or email eis@des.qld.gov.au.