This is expected to provide electricity for up to 100 million people in India. The approval was announced by Environment Minister Greg Hunt, who said ‘after undertaking a thorough assessment and consideration under national environment law, I have approved the Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Infrastructure project, subject to 36 strict conditions’.
‘The absolute strictest of conditions have been imposed to ensure the protection of the environment, with a specific focus on the protection of groundwater.
‘These 36 conditions complement the conditions imposed by the Queensland Government, and will ensure the proponent meets the highest environmental standards and that all impacts, including cumulative impacts, are avoided, mitigated or offset,’ Hunt said. Hailing the decision, Adani Chairman, Gautam Adani said: ‘ We welcome the minister’s approval of the Carmichael Mine and Rail project, which takes us another step closer to delivering our multi-billion dollar mine, rail and port development’.
Hunt said a rigorous, open and thorough environmental assessment process was undertaken to take account of the public interest in the project and that he visited the proposed site to better understand the project and met with the local community to understand their views.
The project, which was proposed and advanced under the previous state and federal ALP Governments, is estimated to have a resource value of $5 billion per annum over 60 years.
At full export capacity, the project is expected to contribute almost $930 million to the Mackay region's gross regional product and $2.97 billion to the Queensland economy each year for the next 60 years.
It will generate an estimated 2475 construction jobs and a further 3,920 jobs during the operations phase, he said. The project has a life time resource value of at least $300 billion, and will enhance economic development opportunities throughout the region through indirect employment and training, and contract and supply opportunities.
It is estimated the project will provide electricity for up to 100 million people in India, Hunt added.
The comprehensive assessment of this project took into account advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC).
‘I personally visited the site with the head of the IESC, and have incorporated all of her suggestions in the conditions.
‘Any matters raised by the Independent Expert Scientific Committee were met with further and strengthened conditions, including requirements for a review of the groundwater flow model and measures to protect the Great Artesian Basin,’ he said.The strict conditions being imposed included ensuring that a minimum of 730 megalitres of water are returned to the Great Artesian Basin every year for five years and adaptively managing uncleared habitat to address potential subsidence impacts and groundwater changes.
It also includes offsetting impacts from cleared habitat and reviewing offset requirements if uncleared habitat is subsequently impacted through subsidence or groundwater changes and contributing funding to address cumulative impacts to threatened species and communities.
‘The absolute strictest of conditions have been imposed to ensure the protection of the environment, with a specific focus on the protection of groundwater.
‘These 36 conditions complement the conditions imposed by the Queensland Government, and will ensure the proponent meets the highest environmental standards and that all impacts, including cumulative impacts, are avoided, mitigated or offset,’ Hunt said. Hailing the decision, Adani Chairman, Gautam Adani said: ‘ We welcome the minister’s approval of the Carmichael Mine and Rail project, which takes us another step closer to delivering our multi-billion dollar mine, rail and port development’.
Hunt said a rigorous, open and thorough environmental assessment process was undertaken to take account of the public interest in the project and that he visited the proposed site to better understand the project and met with the local community to understand their views.
The project, which was proposed and advanced under the previous state and federal ALP Governments, is estimated to have a resource value of $5 billion per annum over 60 years.
At full export capacity, the project is expected to contribute almost $930 million to the Mackay region's gross regional product and $2.97 billion to the Queensland economy each year for the next 60 years.
It will generate an estimated 2475 construction jobs and a further 3,920 jobs during the operations phase, he said. The project has a life time resource value of at least $300 billion, and will enhance economic development opportunities throughout the region through indirect employment and training, and contract and supply opportunities.
It is estimated the project will provide electricity for up to 100 million people in India, Hunt added.
The comprehensive assessment of this project took into account advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC).
‘I personally visited the site with the head of the IESC, and have incorporated all of her suggestions in the conditions.
‘Any matters raised by the Independent Expert Scientific Committee were met with further and strengthened conditions, including requirements for a review of the groundwater flow model and measures to protect the Great Artesian Basin,’ he said.The strict conditions being imposed included ensuring that a minimum of 730 megalitres of water are returned to the Great Artesian Basin every year for five years and adaptively managing uncleared habitat to address potential subsidence impacts and groundwater changes.
It also includes offsetting impacts from cleared habitat and reviewing offset requirements if uncleared habitat is subsequently impacted through subsidence or groundwater changes and contributing funding to address cumulative impacts to threatened species and communities.