The Queensland State Government said that the new coal mine in Galilee Basin could generate close to 6,000 jobs during construction and 1,500 more during the actual life of the mine. The $8.3 billion worth coal project is being developed by Waratah Coal.
Premier Anna Bligh said that the Galilee basin was a very rich coal seam. If it can be developed appropriately then it means jobs, prosperity and growth, and a very bright future for our state, she added. She called it a big leap forward for the state’s economy.
The coal project includes a number of new thermal coalmines near Alpha, west of Emerald, a 468-kilometre railway from the mine to the coast, and a port at Abbot Point, north of Bowen. The company needs to still meet all the environmental impact requirements associated with the project. The port at Abbot Point will have to be processed via a different approval process.
Acting State Development Minister Rachel Nolan said in a statement that if the Galilee Coal project proceeds, it could generate thousands of jobs during the operational life of the mine, which is expected to exceed 25 years.